Senegal’s opposition is putting pressure on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to announce a date for municipal and departmental elections, setting the stage for a potentially important political contest with his former ally, Ousmane Sonko.
The dispute comes as the relationship between the two men continues to deteriorate following their political split. The local elections could become an early test of their rival political strength ahead of Senegal’s 2029 presidential election.
The mandates of Senegal’s current local authorities are due to expire in January. However, President Faye has yet to issue the decrees needed to begin the electoral process, including setting a voting date and opening voter registration.
The opposition FDR coalition, led by the political movement associated with former President Macky Sall, has rejected any proposal to extend the mandates of existing local officials.
Sonko Demands Elections on Schedule
Sonko has repeatedly called for the local elections to take place as scheduled and has criticised what he considers delays by the presidency.
During a recent visit to northern Senegal, the former prime minister urged supporters of the Pastef movement to continue applying pressure for an election date to be announced.
Faye and Sonko came to power together in 2024, after Sonko backed Faye’s presidential campaign when he was unable to contest the election because of a defamation conviction.
Their partnership later collapsed, with Faye removing Sonko as prime minister in May.
January Deadline Approaches
The timing of the elections has become increasingly urgent.
Mor Fall, a law lecturer at Dakar University, said Senegal’s electoral code requires the decree fixing an election date to be published at least 80 days before voting.
This means that if the local elections are to take place before the current mandates expire in January, the necessary decree would need to be issued by early November.
However, officials aligned with Faye have suggested that the elections could be held later.
Aminata Toure, an official with Faye’s newly established Kiiraay party, has indicated that the president could organise the elections at some point in 2027.
Faye and Sonko Split Into Rival Camps
The political divide deepened in July when Faye formally separated from Pastef and launched his own political movement, Kiiraay, meaning “The Republican Patriots”.
The split has created a new political fault line within the movement that brought the two leaders to power.
Although Pastef remains the largest party in parliament, the two camps are now competing for political influence, with the outcome of the local elections potentially shaping their strength ahead of 2029.
Many local councils are also controlled by political forces linked to former President Macky Sall, making the upcoming contest particularly significant.
Political Stakes Rise for Faye
Political analyst Pathe Mbodj said Faye could be reluctant to announce a date while working to consolidate his political authority.
A poor performance against Sonko’s camp could weaken the president’s position several years before the next presidential election.
However, postponing the elections could also carry political risks. Any extension of the mandates of local officials would require approval through legislation in parliament, according to Fall.
Possible Early Legislative Elections
The uncertainty over local elections comes as speculation grows about the future of Senegal’s parliament.
Trade Minister Serigne Gueye Diop recently said President Faye was considering dissolving parliament in December and organising early legislative elections.
Local media have also reported that the president has sought the Constitutional Council’s opinion on whether local and legislative elections could be held simultaneously in 2027.
With no official election date announced yet, Senegal’s political calendar remains uncertain as Faye and Sonko’s former alliance gives way to an increasingly competitive relationship.
