SENEGALESE voters turned out on Sunday for a decisive parliamentary election, with the outcome set to determine whether President Bassirou Diomaye Faye can deliver on his ambitious reform promises. The election follows Faye’s dramatic rise to power in March, when he became Africa’s youngest president at 44, running on a platform of anti-corruption and economic transformation.
Over 7 million registered voters are choosing 165 lawmakers for the National Assembly, where Faye’s party, PASTEF, currently lacks a majority. To push through his agenda, including curbing corruption, renegotiating fishing permits, and ensuring Senegal benefits more from its natural resources, Faye’s party needs at least 83 seats.
The PASTEF party is facing fierce competition from the opposition Takku Wallu coalition, led by former president Macky Sall, alongside 39 other political groups. Faye dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament in September, calling for this snap election, a move he argued was necessary to break legislative deadlock.
Analysts suggest that PASTEF has a strong chance of securing a majority, given Faye’s popularity and the momentum from his 54 percent first-round victory in the presidential election. However, the race remains tight, with provisional results expected by Monday morning and the final tally later in the week.
Faye’s appeal lies in his connection with Senegal’s youth, who make up over 60 percent of the population. Many young Senegalese are frustrated by high unemployment and inflation, which have left 90 percent of the workforce in informal jobs.
The country has also struggled with irregular migration, as thousands of young people embark on perilous journeys to Europe each year, often in unsafe fishing boats, seeking better opportunities.
The legislative election campaign has been marred by sporadic violence. The interior ministry reported clashes between rival party supporters, and the headquarters of an opposition party in Dakar was set ablaze.
Rising tensions
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a key ally of Faye, has condemned attacks on PASTEF supporters, calling for calm. However, tensions boiled over last month when Sonko’s vehicle was pelted with stones during a campaign event in Koungueul. Local media reported that Malick Gackou, leader of an allied party, was injured in the incident.
Sonko initially took to social media, urging supporters to retaliate proportionally but later appealed for peace in a speech. “We must exercise restraint and avoid escalating violence,” he said.
This parliamentary election follows a turbulent presidential vote earlier this year, which tested Senegal’s standing as a stable democracy in a region often rocked by coups.
Faye and Sonko were both released from prison just before the March election after outgoing President Macky Sall declared a political amnesty. Their arrests had triggered nationwide protests and fears that Sall might attempt to extend his tenure beyond constitutional limits. Rights groups reported that months of unrest left dozens dead and nearly 1,000 imprisoned.
As polls close at 6 PM GMT, the results of this election will not only shape Faye’s ability to govern but also reaffirm or challenge Senegal’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in West Africa. The stakes are high, not just for the country but for a continent increasingly demanding reform and youth-centred governance.
