Senegal's parliamentary election brings new confrontation between President Faye and his predecessor

Melissa Chemam with RFI

12 November 2024 at 2:19 pm·1-min read

Pastef supporters at a political rally in Dakar, in March 2024, during the presidential election campaign.

In the upcoming parliamentary elections in Senegal scheduled for this weekend, former presidential rivals Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and former President Macky Sall will face off once more - this time aiming to secure a majority in Parliament. This follows their competition in the March 2024 presidential election.

Senegal, with a population of about 18 million, has nearly 7.4 million registered voters.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved Senegal's parliament in September and announced legislative elections for 17 November, saying the opposition-controlled parliament hindered his ability to execute his government’s plans at that time.

Senegal's president dissolves parliament, calls snap November election

Voters will have to select MPs for 165 parliamentary seats.

Forty lists of candidates are competing, but four major coalitions dominate, including the list from the current majority, and the one from the opposition, named Takku Wallu, supported by former president Macky Sall and his allies.

On election day, citizens vote directly for their chosen list and, upon counting the votes, the list that secures the most votes will garner all the seats in a district.

The ruling Pastef party is led by President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Confidence

Sall, 62, served as Senegal’s fourth president from 2012 until 2024.

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