For the early legislative elections on November 17, facing Pastef, the ruling party, which has designated Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as head of the national list, the Senegalese opposition is coming together to impose cohabitation.
The president of the African Patriots of Senegal for work, ethics and fraternity (Pastef) Ousmane Sonko, was named head of the party’s national list for the early legislative elections of November 17, 2024. The announcement was made by the national representative of the political party in power, Ayib Daffé, accompanied by deputy Amadou Bâ. They went to the General Directorate of Elections (DGE) on Sunday, shortly before midnight, the last deadline for submitting the lists.
However, this political formation will have to face an opposition which is trying to unite by all means. It is brought together in an intercoalition to counter the strength of the ruling party.
In his statement, Mr. Daffé recalled that Pastef is running in these elections under its own banner, without however specifying that this option aims to secure a possible parliamentary majority and prevent the transhumance of deputies towards the opposition. He stressed that the submitted list is “ inclusive » and gathers “ all sensitivities » of the President Diomaye coalition, which brought the current head of state to power, in particular the Pastef party, considered the locomotive of this alliance. This strategy reflects Pastef’s desire to highlight the diversity of its members and strengthen its presence in the National Assembly.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a charismatic figure in Senegalese politics, embodies for his supporters the hope of political renewal. These elections represent a key stage for Pastef, which hopes to consolidate its influence and legislative weight with a view to the reforms it has defended for several years.
Repeat the 2022 move?
In 2022, the Yewwi Askan Wi (liberate the people) and Wallu (save) coalitions had already succeeded in an alliance called “Plan Déthié Fall”, which consisted of investing the best-placed opposition candidate in each of the 46 departments. This strategy allowed them to win 82 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly, compared to 82 for the Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition (united for the same hope), then in power.
This time, the coalitions Takku Wallu Senegal (unite to save the country), Samm Sa Kaddu (respect your word) and Jamm Ak Njariñ (peace and prosperity), bringing together opposition figures like Macky Sall, Amadou Ba, Khalifa Sall, Idrissa Seck, Barthélémy Dias, Pape Djibril Fall and Anta Babacar Ngom, have decided to unite to maximize their chances in the 46 departments of Senegal and in the diaspora. Cheikh Tidiane Youm, representative of Samm Sa Kaddu, confirmed this collaboration to the press on Sunday evening, without giving further details.
Another issue in these legislative elections is the participation of Barthélémy Dias, mayor of Dakar and presumed head of the Samm Sa Kaddu coalition, despite his conviction by the Supreme Court in the Ndiaga Diouf murder case. Some believe that the Electoral Code prohibits Dias from running, but others assert that this ineligibility would only take effect after removal from the electoral lists.
The Constitutional Council used a similar argument last January to invalidate Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, after his final conviction by the same court for defamation against the former Minister of Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. However, thanks to the amnesty law adopted in March, Sonko was able to be released from prison and restored to his rights, which also allowed him to vote in Ziguinchor (south), several experts recall.
ODL/ac/Sf/APA
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