Senegal: President Faye dissolves parliament, hopes for majority in November 17 snap elections

SENEGAL – Six months after being elected President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has announced snap elections will take place on November 17, following his dissolution of the country’s parliament, according to Africanews.

Analysts suggested that Faye, whose party does not currently hold a parliamentary majority, had a strong chance of securing one in the upcoming elections.

The decision had been criticized by the opposition platform, Benno Bokk Yaakar, led by former President Macky Sall, who accused Faye of perjury.

At 44, Faye, Senegal’s youngest leader, won the presidency in April shortly after his release from prison, alongside Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Faye had promised extensive reforms to improve living standards in Senegal, which faces one of the highest inflation rates in West Africa.

He also vowed to combat corruption and increase the population’s share of the country’s natural resources.

However, these promises have yet to be realized.

Both Faye and Sonko have cited their party’s lack of a parliamentary majority as a barrier to implementing their planned changes.

The economic challenges have contributed to a significant number of Senegalese leaving for Europe each year in search of better opportunities.

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