Senegal’s Young President Dissolves Parliament, Sets November Elections to Drive Bold Reforms

• Sep 13, 2024

Senegal’s youngest president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has taken a decisive step by dissolving the opposition-led parliament and announcing new legislative elections scheduled for November 17. Elected six months ago on an anti-establishment platform, President Faye is urging citizens to support his party to achieve the "systemic transformation" he promised during his campaign.

In a televised speech, Faye highlighted the critical role of the upcoming elections in advancing his government’s economic plans, which focus on reducing Senegal’s reliance on external sources. At just 44 years old, Faye has become Africa’s youngest leader, earning significant backing from the country’s youth who are largely dissatisfied with the previous administration’s direction.

Faye’s rise to power followed his release from prison, which bolstered his campaign against corruption and his call for greater control over Senegal’s natural resources. A central part of his agenda is to renegotiate contracts with international energy firms and reassess foreign fishing permits to ensure that Senegal benefits more from its own resources.

Additionally, President Faye is pushing for Senegal to leave the CFA franc, a currency established by France in 1945 and still used by several West African nations. This move is part of his broader strategy to enhance Senegal’s economic independence and stability.

However, implementing these reforms has been challenging. Both President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko have blamed the current parliament for hindering progress and causing delays. By dissolving parliament, Faye aims to break the legislative deadlock and secure a majority for his party, PASTEF, thereby facilitating the passage of his reform agenda.

This move has sparked controversy among opposition leaders, including those from former President Macky Sall’s Benno Bokk Yaakar coalition. They have criticized Faye for allegedly violating legal procedures by calling a legislative session to announce the dissolution of parliament.

Despite the opposition’s condemnation, President Faye remains popular among many Senegalese, particularly the younger population. His PASTEF party is seen as well-positioned to win a majority in the forthcoming elections, which could pave the way for the significant changes he envisions for Senegal’s future.

As November approaches, all eyes will be on Senegal’s electorate to see if they will support President Faye’s call for a new mandate to drive the nation towards the economic and systemic transformations he has pledged.