President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has not ruled out dissolving the National Assembly, which is now chaired by his former ally Ousmane Sonko. In an interview on Thursday, September 24, in New York, the Senegalese leader linked any decision to how relations between institutions evolve, as his government prepares to defend its budget choices before an Assembly dominated by Pastef.

“Why exclude a prerogative that the Constitution grants you?” the head of state replied when asked whether he was considering dissolving the Assembly. He announced neither a dissolution nor an election date. “It’s all a matter of necessity or context. When the time comes, depending on what we face, we will decide,” he added.

This response follows a political break that he this time named without hesitation. Questioned about the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko, his former Prime Minister, Bassirou Diomaye Faye cited “persistent divergences on certain issues.” “When this breach of trust persisted, I chose another Prime Minister,” he explained. He nevertheless dismissed the idea that discussions with the International Monetary Fund alone caused their separation.

The disagreement now also plays out in Parliament. Ousmane Sonko took the presidency of the National Assembly after leaving the government, giving him a central role in examining texts put forward by the executive. Asked about a possible rejection of the revised finance law by Pastef deputies, Faye defended each institution’s own responsibility: “Everyone assumes their responsibilities and the people arbitrate.”

To accusations of betrayal from some members of his former party, the president countered with his commitment as head of state. “The only thing I am capable of betraying is my oath,” he declared. The next phase of the political confrontation will depend notably on how the Assembly receives the government’s financial measures.

Macky Sall at the UN: Faye defends a surprising support

Bassirou Diomaye Faye reaffirmed his support for his predecessor Macky Sall’s candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Despite doubts expressed about his chances, the Senegalese president believes that “the game remains open” and says he is discussing with members who will influence the choice.

To justify this position, Faye highlights Macky Sall’s international experience and Africa’s representation at the UN. “Who is better today to defend a better place for Africa than President Macky Sall?” he asked during his interview.

The head of state also invoked the debt issue, at the heart of Senegal’s current financial difficulties. According to him, Macky Sall has “endured the throes of debt,” an experience that would make him fit to advocate for a reform of the international financial architecture. Faye did not address, in this response, the responsibilities attributed to the former regime in the undeclared debt.