DAKAR, Senegal — On Sunday, voters in Senegal headed to the polls for a parliamentary election that will be pivotal in enabling the newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to implement his ambitious reform agenda.
Over 7 million registered voters are tasked with selecting 165 lawmakers for the national assembly, where Faye’s party currently lacks a majority. Faye, who assumed office in March on a platform appealing to anti-establishment sentiments, has expressed that this absence of a majority has hindered his ability to fulfill promises made during his campaign, which include initiatives aimed at combating corruption, re-evaluating foreign fishing permits, and ensuring a larger share of the country’s natural resources benefits the local populace.
In a strategic move, Faye dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament in September, setting the stage for a snap legislative election. His political platform, PASTEF, is confronted by the Takku Wallu opposition alliance, led by former President Macky Sall, as well as 39 other political entities and coalitions.
The polls are set to conclude at 6 PM (1800 GMT), with early provisional results anticipated by Monday morning, while the final tally will be disclosed later in the week.
To establish a majority in the assembly, Faye’s PASTEF needs a minimum of 83 seats. Political analysts are optimistic about their chances, attributing potential success to the party’s popularity as well as Faye’s decisive victory in the previous presidential election.
At 44 years old, Faye made history as Africa’s youngest elected leader, securing 54% of the vote in the first round just days after his release from prison. His ascent reflects the discontent among Senegal’s youth regarding the country’s trajectory—a sentiment echoed across a continent characterized by a youthful population and several long-term leaders clinging to power.
With over 60% of Senegal’s population under 25 and 90% engaged in informal employment, the recent surge in inflation has raised significant challenges for these young citizens.
Additionally, Senegal has become a notable source of irregular migration towards Europe, as countless individuals embark on perilous journeys in decrepit fishing vessels in search of better economic prospects.
The election campaign has seen sporadic violence and confrontations among party supporters. Significant incidents include the burning of an opposition party’s headquarters in Dakar and various confrontations among rival supporters across central Senegal, as reported by the interior ministry.
On Tuesday, Ousmane Sonko, the Prime Minister and a key figure in Faye’s rise to power, condemned the attacks on PASTEF supporters while calling for reciprocal justice for those injured. He initially urged his followers to respond but later clarified his stance, advocating for peace in a subsequent address.
Last month, while campaigning in Koungueul, Sonko was targeted in an attack where stones were thrown at his vehicle, leading to clashes between his supporters and unknown assailants. Reports indicate that a leading figure from a partner party, former minister Malick Gackou, sustained a broken arm during this unrest.
The March presidential election served as a test for Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in West Africa, a region recently shaken by a wave of coups. Both Faye and Sonko were released from prison shortly before the election following a political amnesty from outgoing President Sall. Their detentions sparked extensive protests and raised alarms over Sall’s potential pursuit of a third term in defiance of term limits, leading to reports of fatalities and numerous arrests.
