In a departure from the annual national dialogue held on May 28 since its inception under former President Macky Sall in 2016, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to launch a ten-day series of consultations with diverse societal groups, including NGOs, political parties, traditional leaders, and religious figures.

Political science professor Maurice Soundieck Dione from the University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis notes that this initiative reinforces the president’s reputation as a consensus-builder. As Faye adopts consultation as his governance hallmark, these meetings aim to address opposition criticism regarding the contentious electoral law reform and a series of constitutional changes in the pipeline.

Prime Minister Sonko’s address to lawmakers

Concurrently, the other leader of the executive branch, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, is set to address members of Parliament on Friday, May 22. While this fifth session of current affairs questions falls within the official calendar, its timing has sparked questions.

Analyst Assane Samb suggests that better coordination between the two leaders could have avoided a potential scheduling conflict. However, in Senegal’s current political climate—described by Professor Maurice Soundieck Dione as a rivalry between co-leaders vying for influence—such timing is hardly surprising. Each is keen to assert their presence and role in the evolving governance landscape.