Senegal’s assembly dissolution debate: reactions, risks and what could come next
Senegal’s assembly dissolution debate: reactions, risks and what could come next
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has openly acknowledged his break with former ally Ousmane Sonko while refusing to rule out dissolving the National Assembly — a statement that has ignited public debate over the country’s political direction and what lies ahead.
What Faye said about dissolving parliament
In New York on Thursday, September 24, President Faye addressed the possibility of dissolving the National Assembly, now led by his former ally Ousmane Sonko. He tied any decision to how relations between state institutions evolve, especially as his government prepares to defend its budget choices before a parliament dominated by the Pastef party.
“Why rule out a prerogative granted by the Constitution?” Faye replied when asked whether he was considering dissolution. He announced neither a dissolution nor an election date. “It’s all a matter of necessity or context. When the time comes, depending on what we face, we will decide,” he added.
The statement followed a political split he now acknowledges without ambiguity. Asked about the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko, his former prime minister, Faye cited “persistent differences on certain issues.” “When this breakdown of trust persisted, I chose another prime minister,” he explained. He nevertheless rejected the idea that talks with the International Monetary Fund alone caused their separation.
The parliamentary dimension of the conflict
The disagreement now also plays out in parliament. Sonko took the presidency of the National Assembly after leaving the government, giving him a central role in scrutinizing bills from the executive. Asked about a possible rejection of the revised finance law by Pastef lawmakers, Faye defended each institution’s responsibility: “Everyone assumes their responsibilities and the people decide.”
To accusations of betrayal from some members of his former party, the president countered with his commitment to the head of state role. “The only thing I could betray is my oath,” he said. How the Assembly receives the government’s financial measures will largely shape the next phase of the political confrontation.
Faye backs Macky Sall for UN top job despite doubts
Bassirou Diomaye Faye reaffirmed his support for his predecessor Macky Sall’s bid for United Nations secretary-general. Despite doubts about his chances, the Senegalese president believes “the game remains open” and says he is in talks with members who will influence the choice.
Faye justified his position by pointing to Macky Sall’s international experience and Africa’s representation at the UN. “Who is better today to defend a stronger place for Africa than President Macky Sall?” he asked during his interview.
The head of state also raised the debt issue, central to Senegal’s current financial difficulties. According to him, Macky Sall “endured the burdens of debt,” an experience that would make him fit to advocate for reforming the international financial architecture. Faye did not address, in that response, the responsibilities attributed to the former government regarding undeclared debt.
Reactions and what to watch next
The president’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion about the consequences of a possible dissolution and the future of the ruling coalition. Key questions now include how the Assembly will handle the government’s budget proposals, whether the break with Sonko deepens further, and how the public debate over institutional responsibilities will evolve.