Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament, clearing the way for a snap legislative election on November 17th. This move comes six months after Faye was elected on an anti-establishment platform, promising significant reforms.
In a televised speech, Faye urged voters to support his party, PASTEF, so he can carry out the “systemic transformation that I promised.” Analysts believe his party stands a strong chance of winning a parliamentary majority, given Faye’s popularity and the margin of his March election victory.
However, the opposition has not taken this decision lightly. The Benno Bokk Yaakar coalition, led by former President Macky Sall, accused Faye of convening a parliamentary session under pretenses to announce the dissolution. They labeled his actions as “perjury” and have condemned the sudden call for elections.
Faye, 44, is Africa’s youngest elected leader, coming to power after securing 54% of the vote in March. His election followed years of frustration among Senegal’s youth, who, like much of Africa’s young population, feel disillusioned by leadership that has remained in power for decades. Less than two weeks before the election, Faye had been released from prison, his rise marking a shift in the nation’s political climate.
Struggles to Deliver on Promises
During his campaign, Faye promised significant changes, including fighting corruption, renegotiating fishing permits given to foreign companies, and ensuring the Senegalese people gained a larger share of the country’s natural resources.
These pledges resonated with a population tired of stagnation, especially among the youth, who represent over 60% of the country’s population.
Yet, six months into his presidency, many of these promises remain unfulfilled. Faye, alongside Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has attributed the delays to the opposition-led parliament. With PASTEF lacking a majority, Faye argues that the legislature has continually blocked his reform agenda.
In June, tensions came to a head when the opposition canceled a crucial budget debate. A key disagreement emerged over whether Sonko was required to provide a formal policy roadmap, a point he disputed.
According to Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom think tank, the tensions between the government and the parliament are “unprecedented.” Tine believes that the discord stems from “the dysfunctions of the electoral process of the 2024 presidential election.”
Risky Move for Faye
While dissolving the parliament allows Faye to push for a new legislative majority, political analyst Gilles Yabi warns that it comes with risks. The national assembly is tasked with approving next year’s budget by the end of December. New elections in November could hinder the timely passage of the budget, adding further uncertainty to Senegal’s political landscape.
Despite these concerns, Faye’s leadership is being closely watched both within Senegal and across West Africa, a region that has experienced multiple coups and political instability in recent years. Senegal, long considered a beacon of democracy in the region, is now facing its own test.
Both Faye and Sonko were released from prison just weeks before the presidential election after a political amnesty granted by outgoing President Macky Sall. Their arrests had sparked widespread protests, with fears that Sall might attempt to extend his term beyond the constitutional limit. Rights groups reported dozens of deaths and the arrest of nearly 1,000 people during the unrest.
Economic and Social Struggles
Senegal’s youth have also been deeply impacted by economic hardships. With inflation soaring, many struggle to afford basic necessities. Nearly 90% of the country’s workforce is employed in informal jobs, making economic instability particularly acute.
Additionally, Senegal has become a major source of irregular migration to Europe, with thousands embarking on dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities. Just days before Faye’s announcement, a boat carrying nearly 90 people capsized, killing at least 39 in yet another tragic chapter of Senegal’s migration crisis.
As such, Faye seeks to gain control of the parliament and whether he can deliver on his promises, time will tell.
