Senegal's president dissolves parliament, calls snap November election

RFI

13 September 2024 at 4:52 am·1-min read

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dissolved the opposition-led National Assembly just six months after taking office, clearing the way for early legislative elections on 17 November.

In an address late Thursday, Faye said working with the assembly had grown difficult after members refused to start discussions on the budget law and turned down efforts to dissolve wasteful state institutions.

"I dissolve the national assembly to ask the sovereign people for the institutional means to bring about the systemic transformation that I have promised to deliver," Faye said in his brief speech, in which he announced the date for voting.

The announcement came as little surprise. Lawmakers from Faye's Pastef party are looking to win a majority in the assembly and Thursday marked the two-year anniversary of the parliament – the minimum time required before fresh legislative elections.

Faye's announcement followed earlier promises by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to dissolve the national assembly and launch a wide-ranging probe into government corruption.

'Ridiculous strategy'

The opposition was quick to react. Seydou Gueye, spokesperson for Alliance for the Republic – the party of former president Macky Sall – denounced Faye's "ridiculous strategy" aimed at "protecting soldier Sonko".

Gueye denied the opposition-led assembly was blocking government efforts.

(with newswires)

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'Ridiculous strategy'

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