Sonko warns President Faye over assembly dissolution risks

The leader of Pastef has cautioned that any electoral gamble by the President could backfire severely, particularly if the National Assembly is dissolved.

Political chessboard in motion

In his latest address to supporters in Linguère, Ousmane Sonko, head of the Pastef party, delivered a pointed message to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding the increasingly discussed possibility of dissolving the National Assembly. The scenario has been weighing heavily on Senegal’s political landscape in recent weeks.

According to Sonko, any decision to dissolve the Assembly would prove disastrous for the ruling camp. He emphasized that holding elections—whether local or legislative—would weaken the government’s position, but a dissolution would be even more damaging. « If he calls local elections, we will defeat him. If he dissolves the Assembly, it will be worse for him—and that’s exactly what we want,» Sonko declared during his speech. « We will trounce him so badly that he may even step down before 2029,» he added, exuding confidence in his party’s electoral strength nearly a year and a half into the administration.

Call for restraint among militants

Beyond his warning to the President, Sonko also addressed his own ranks, urging Pastef militants to exercise caution in the face of what he describes as orchestrated destabilization efforts by political rivals. « I call on everyone to remain vigilant and calm,» he stated, highlighting concerns that opponents are attempting to provoke reactions that could lead to legal repercussions against the party.

« They are actively seeking ways to incite Pastef supporters into reactions that could be used as pretexts to dissolve the party or revoke its registration,» he warned. Sonko stressed that disciplined resistance to such provocations would be crucial in determining the outcome of upcoming elections, which he views with growing optimism. « If we maintain our composure, the next polls—whether local or snap legislative elections—will be a cakewalk for us,» he asserted, framing the contests as a « simple stroll in the park » for his movement.