Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced snap elections to be held on November 17, just six months after his election.
This decision follows his move to dissolve the country’s parliament, which currently lacks a majority for his party. Political analysts believe that Faye may now have a strong chance of securing a majority.
The opposition coalition, Benno Bokk Yaakar, led by former President Macky Sall, has condemned the move, accusing Faye of breaching his duties.
At 44, Faye is Senegal’s youngest president. He won the April election shortly after being released from prison alongside Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Both leaders promised ambitious reforms aimed at improving the country’s living conditions, fighting corruption, and increasing the population’s share of Senegal’s natural resources. However, these promises have yet to be realized, with Faye attributing the lack of progress to his party’s inability to pass legislation without a parliamentary majority.
Despite these challenges, thousands of Senegalese continue to leave the country each year, seeking better opportunities in Europe.
