Senegal: Diomaye Faye leaves parliament dissolution on the table

Diomaye Faye refuses to rule out dissolving parliament

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declined to rule out dissolving the National Assembly, now led by his former ally Ousmane Sonko. Speaking in New York on Thursday, September 24, Faye said any such move would depend on how relations between state institutions evolve. His government is set to defend its budget choices before an assembly dominated by the Pastef party.

When asked whether he was considering dissolving the assembly, the head of state replied: “Why exclude a prerogative that the Constitution grants you?” He announced neither a dissolution nor an election date. “Everything depends on necessity or context. When the time comes, based on what we face, we will decide,” he added.

His remarks follow a political split he has now openly acknowledged. Questioned about the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko, his former prime minister, Faye cited “persistent divergences on certain issues.” “When this breach of trust persisted, I chose another prime minister,” he explained. He dismissed the idea that talks with the International Monetary Fund alone caused their separation.

The disagreement now also plays out in parliament. Sonko took the assembly presidency after leaving the government, giving him a central role in scrutinizing the executive’s bills. Asked about a possible rejection of the amended finance law by Pastef lawmakers, Faye defended each institution’s own 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 leading the state. “The only thing I am capable of betraying is my oath,” he said. The next phase of the political confrontation will depend largely on how the assembly receives the government’s financial measures.

Macky Sall at the UN: Faye defends a surprising endorsement

Bassirou Diomaye Faye has reaffirmed his support for his predecessor Macky Sall’s candidacy for UN 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.

To justify this position, Faye highlights Macky Sall’s international experience and Africa’s representation at the UN. “Who is better placed today to defend a stronger role for Africa than President Macky Sall?” he asked during his interview.

The head of state also invoked the debt issue, central to Senegal’s current financial difficulties. According to him, Macky Sall has “endured the ravages of debt,” an experience that would make him suited to advocate for reform of the international financial architecture. Faye did not address, in this response, the responsibilities attributed to the former government regarding undeclared debt.

By Pierre Tchuente — Security and Policy Analyst