Senegal’s local elections: Diomaye Faye is not ready

Senegal’s local election timetable is slipping into uncertainty, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye yet to sign the decrees needed to launch the process. The mandates of local officials expire next January, while the opposition is pressing for the vote to take place on schedule.

Two decrees are particularly important: one would set the election date, and the other would open registration on the electoral rolls. Faye’s apparent lack of urgency has prompted questions and concern about a possible delay, especially because political actors do not agree on how much time remains to organize the elections.

The opposition has clearly rejected any extension of local officials’ mandates and is increasing pressure for the election to proceed within the expected timetable. The presidential camp, however, appears less eager. Aminata Touré, a leading figure in the new party created by Faye, recently said the president had “all of 2027” to organize the elections. Those remarks have added to speculation that the presidential movement, Kiiraay, or “The Republican Patriots,” intends to take its time.

The dispute also reflects the break between Faye and Ousmane Sonko, his former ally and former prime minister. Sonko remains in control of PASTEF and has a strong position in the National Assembly. The article argues that Faye may want time to build a stronger base for his newly created party before facing local elections that could shape his political future.

A defeat against Sonko’s camp could weaken Faye ahead of the 2029 presidential election, while the opposition sees the current moment as favorable and has an interest in holding the vote on time. The immediate question is whether the president will yield to pressure and quickly sign the decrees, or allow the uncertainty to continue.

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all of 2027