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Senegal’s left-wing president is poised to secure a significant parliamentary majority that will give him the authority to implement reforms that could potentially transform the economy of the West African nation, particularly its dealings with oil producers.
After the majority of votes were tallied, three opposition leaders, including former president Macky Sall and his prime minister, have acknowledged the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s ruling Pastef party.
Since coming into power after the presidential elections in March, Faye’s government has faced challenges, with many Senegalese grappling with a high cost of living. However, a resounding win in the recent legislative elections would provide Faye with a mandate to fulfill his promises, which include cracking down on corruption and implementing policies to improve the livelihoods of the majority of citizens.
At just 44 years old, Faye is the youngest elected leader in Africa. He has initiated a review of all oil and gas contracts in the country’s emerging energy sector, which includes agreements with companies like Woodside from Australia, BP from the UK, and Kosmos from Texas.
Pastef has also pledged to distance itself from policies favored by previous administrations, including the close ties with France, Senegal’s former colonial power. The party is led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Faye’s political mentor, who was ineligible to run for the presidency.
“The outcome of the election is a clear endorsement of Faye and Sonko’s agenda, and we anticipate proactive steps once the new National Assembly convenes,” stated François Conradie, an analyst at Oxford Economics Africa.
Opposition figures, including Sall, have expressed concerns that the proposed reforms could jeopardize Senegal’s reputation as a stable environment for business.
In September, Faye dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament, citing the need for a majority in the 165-seat national assembly to advance his agenda. Pastef, with only 56 seats, required at least 83 seats for a majority. Official results are anticipated to be announced soon.
According to local news outlet DakarActu, Pastef is projected to secure 79% of the vote or 131 seats, a substantial majority that would enable them to enact constitutional changes that typically require approval from 60% of MPs. Faye had won the March election with 54% of the vote.
Over 7 million Senegalese were eligible to vote in the election.
An audit conducted by Faye’s administration revealed higher than expected levels of public debt. The deficit was found to exceed 10% of GDP at the end of the previous year, surpassing the 5.5% reported by Sall’s government. Additionally, public debt over the past five years averaged 76% of GDP, higher than the previously stated 66%. As a result, a three-year, $1.8 billion IMF program was put on hold while corrective measures are implemented.
Sall acknowledged Pastef’s victory, stating, “The people have spoken clearly.” Amadou Ba, who lost to Faye in the presidential election and served as Sall’s last prime minister, congratulated Pastef on its impending victory, emphasizing that it reflects the will of the people and is a triumph for democracy and Senegal.
Former Pastef ally Barthélémy Dias, now in opposition and the mayor of Dakar, also extended congratulations to the ruling party.
Conradie noted that the election outcome signals a “generational change” in Senegal, removing former political heavyweights like Sall from power.
