Faith Nyasuguta
When Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal’s youngest president, took office in April, the nation was filled with hope for sweeping reforms and transformative leadership. Riding on a wave of anti-establishment sentiment, Faye had promised a radical agenda focusing on national reconciliation, reducing the cost of living, and fighting corruption. His leftist and pan-African stance resonated with many young Senegalese, especially those frustrated with the old political order.
Within his first week in office, Faye appointed his political mentor, Ousmane Sonko, as prime minister and unveiled a cabinet of 25 ministers. This swift action was seen as a bold move to signal change. Yet, just six months later, the landscape looks starkly different, with Faye facing mounting criticism and a harsh reality check on his ability to deliver on his promises.
Faye’s victory in March was nothing short of remarkable. He and Sonko had been released from prison only ten days before the vote, thanks to an amnesty by outgoing President Macky Sall. Sall, who had ruled for 12 years, had delayed the elections, leaving the country in economic turmoil, with a third of its youth unemployed and widespread poverty. Faye’s election was celebrated as a fresh start, a break from Sall’s administration, and a step toward radical reform.
However, the initial excitement has quickly turned into frustration. Faye and Sonko are blaming the parliament, still dominated by Sall’s supporters, for blocking their plans. Sonko has refused to present his policy agenda, the General Policy Declaration (GPD), to parliament, citing that the legislative body does not recognize the role of prime minister.
The position was abolished in 2019, only to be reinstated in 2022, but not formally acknowledged in parliamentary regulations until late August.
Some, like Aminata Tourè a former prime minister and ex-ally of Sall, argue that the current parliament lacks legitimacy. Tourè insists, “We have to align the legitimacy of 24 March when President Faye won by 54%, with the representation of the parliament.”
However, other political figures accuse Sonko of delaying tactics, aiming to gain control of the legislature. Thierno Alassane Sall, leader of La Rèpublique des Valeurs, remarked, “He wants to impose his law… He forgets that he was not elected by anyone and only draws his legitimacy from the president.”
The tension is set to escalate. On September 4, Sonko announced that Faye would dissolve the opposition-controlled parliament soon, setting the stage for new elections. However, Senegalese law mandates that parliament cannot be dissolved by the president until it has sat for two years. With this milestone reached on September 12, all eyes are on Faye’s next move.
While the domestic political scene remains deadlocked, Faye has been active on the diplomatic front. He has been mediating between the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which recently formed the Association of Sahel States, breaking away from Ecowas. Tourè has commended Faye’s efforts, noting, “In a family, people have differences, but we remain family, and I believe President Faye will succeed in rebuilding that family.”
Critics, however, see Faye’s diplomatic efforts as a distraction from pressing domestic issues. With Senegal’s debt surpassing 72% of its GDP and youth unemployment still high, there is growing concern that the president is not prioritizing internal challenges. Accusations of cronyism, a hallmark of the Sall administration, have resurfaced, with nearly half of Faye’s cabinet appointments being members of Sonko’s Pastef party or affiliated individuals.
Hopes for gender equality in governance have also been dashed, as only 46 out of 300 positions in the new administration are held by women.
The criticism has not stopped there. In July, as Faye marked 100 days in office, the United in Hope coalition, led by Sall’s Alliance pour la Rèpublique party, lambasted his administration for a “lack of direction,” claiming that Senegal has been in a state of stagnation since his election. In August, privately owned news outlets staged a nationwide blackout to protest against the government freezing their bank accounts and seizing equipment over alleged tax evasion.
On the campaign trail, Faye pledged to assert Senegal’s sovereignty by moving away from the West African CFA franc, a currency used by eight West African states, and reviewing the country’s relationship with France. However, his first overseas visit as president was to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. Critics see this as a betrayal of his pan-African rhetoric. Boubacar Ba, an associate professor of public law at Cheikh Anta Diop University, argues, “When you’re president, you have to take a lot of things into account because today your word is binding on the credibility of the state.”
Faye also promised to renegotiate deals with foreign entities in the extractive sector. However, the terms of a new offshore oil project deal with an Australian firm remain opaque, raising concerns about transparency.
Aminata Tourè argues that these shifts do not signify a betrayal of Faye’s promises. “The point is, whoever we are partnering with, we’re going to make sure that it’s on a win-win situation. The new generation of leaders made it clear that they want a more balanced relationship, and that’s what the people of Africa have been longing for.”
Despite the challenges, many young Senegalese, like Moustapha Sano, remain optimistic about Faye’s ability to change the country’s fortunes. “We want all young Senegalese to benefit from our natural resources,” Sano said, “because we don’t want to continue to see so many young people perishing in the Atlantic Ocean or the Sahara desert, trying to reach Europe.”
Faye’s journey as Senegal’s leader is proving to be a harsh reality check, with political roadblocks, economic challenges, and accusations of broken promises threatening to undermine his ambitious agenda. Whether he can overcome these hurdles and deliver on his radical reform promises remains to be seen
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