Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dissolved the national parliament and announced plans for snap elections in November, citing significant obstacles in advancing his reform agenda.
According to ALZEERA News, President Faye decision follows mounting frustrations with the opposition-led assembly, which he claims has hindered progress on the budget and resisted efforts to eliminate inefficient state institutions.
In a live video potage, Faye explained that the dissolution was necessary to seek the public’s mandate for the transformative changes he has promised.
The new elections are scheduled for November 17.
Faye, who won the presidency in March with 54 percent of the vote, is expected to secure a strong position in the upcoming elections due to his party, PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity), and his notable popularity.
The opposition coalition, led by former President Macky Sall, has criticized Faye’s move, accusing him of acting in bad faith and alleging procedural misconduct.
The coalition disputes Faye’s claims, suggesting the dissolution was an attempt to bypass the parliamentary process.
Faye, elected at 44 as Africa’s youngest president, has faced challenges in fulfilling his campaign promises.
Tensions have risen with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a key ally, who has also been frustrated by the parliamentary gridlock.
The assembly’s failure to address the budget could complicate future fiscal planning, adding to the political uncertainty.
Article 87 of the Senegali Construction gives the president the right to take such decision.
Senegal’s Constitution: Article 87
“The President of the Republic can, after receiving the opinion of the Prime Minister and that of the President of the National Assembly, pronounce, by decree, the dissolution of the National Assembly.
However, the dissolution may not intervene during the first two years of legislature.
The decree of dissolution establishes the date of the ballot for the election of the Deputies. The ballot takes place sixty days at least and ninety days at most after the date of the publication of said decree.
The dissolved National Assembly may not meet. However, the mandate of the Deputies only expires on the date of the proclamation of the election of the members of the new National Assembly.”
