Ousmane Sonko, the leader of Pastef, asserts that regardless of the President’s electoral choice, the incumbent administration would emerge weakened from any new ballot. He specifically cautions that dissolving the National Assembly would be particularly detrimental to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The possibility of dissolving Senegal’s National Assembly continues to fuel intense political debate. This Saturday, during a party rally held in Linguère, Ousmane Sonko directly addressed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding this matter, issuing a stark warning about the potential electoral repercussions of such a decision.
According to the Pastef leader, any electoral contest, irrespective of the President’s chosen path, would leave the ruling power in a weaker position. However, Sonko particularly highlighted the dissolution scenario, predicting it would severely backfire on the President.
“If he organizes local elections, we will defeat him. If he dissolves the Assembly, that would be even worse for him. And frankly, that is what we prefer. Because we will beat him decisively. After that, I even fear he might concede before 2029,” Ousmane Sonko declared, delivering a direct and unequivocal message to the occupant of the presidential palace. This statement underscores a clear confidence in Pastef’s electoral strength, which the party believes remains superior more than a year after coming to power.
A call for vigilance and calm among militants
Beyond his warning to the Head of State, Ousmane Sonko also took the opportunity to address his own supporters. He urged Pastef militants to exercise restraint in the face of what he described as destabilization attempts orchestrated by political adversaries.
“I call on everyone to be vigilant and calm. Because they are trying to provoke Pastef so that young people react, enabling them to dissolve the party and revoke its official registration,” he cautioned, warning against any missteps that could, in his view, be exploited against his political movement.
For Ousmane Sonko, his militants’ ability to resist these provocations will directly determine the outcome of upcoming elections, which he views with unwavering optimism. He asserted that with collective composure, the next polls—whether local or early legislative elections—would result in a straightforward victory for his camp, which he confidently described as a “mere stroll in the park.”