DAKAR - Senegal's opposition is pressing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to set a date for local elections that could become the first test between him and his former mentor since their dramatic split.
Faye fired Ousmane Sonko as prime minister in May, splitting the ruling camp into rival factions, now looking ahead to the 2029 presidential race in the heavily indebted West African country.
Sonko, who swiftly returned to parliament as speaker, has spent weeks demanding municipal and departmental elections be held on time, accusing the president of dragging his feet.
During a recent trip to northern Senegal, Sonko, who opposes any delay to the vote, openly mocked the president.
"I ask the patriots", supporters of his Pastef party, "to ease off a little on the mobilisation so that the guy (Faye) has the courage" to set an election date, he said.
- Election in doubt -
The five-year mandates of municipal and departmental authorities expire in January.
The vote is widely seen as an early measure of support for the former allies, who swept to power together in 2024 after Sonko, barred from running due to a defamation conviction, backed Faye's successful presidential bid.
The rift has triggered political upheaval for the country and uncertainty for their party, the biggest in parliament.
Faye has still not signed the decrees needed to launch the electoral process, including one setting a date for the vote and another opening voter registration.
Many local councils remain controlled by the party of former president Macky Sall, who governed Senegal from 2012 to 2024.
The FDR opposition coalition, led by Sall's former ruling party, has also opposed any postponement or mandate extensions.
According to Dakar University law lecturer Mor Fall, the electoral code requires the decree setting an election date to be published at least 80 days before the vote.
If the elections are to be held before the current mandates expire, that decree would need to be issued by early November.
But Aminata Toure, an official in Faye's newly formed Kiiraay party, recently argued that the president had "all of 2027" to organise the elections, fuelling speculation that they could be pushed back.
The president formally broke with Pastef in July by launching Kiiraay, the Republican Patriots, whose name means "protection" or "shield" in the Wolof language.
- President 'struggling' -
Faye essentially owes his position as president to Sonko, his onetime mentor, who would almost certainly have taken the top job had he been able to run in the 2024 vote.
Political analyst Pathe Mbodj said the president may be reluctant to set a date while his political future remains uncertain.
"He is struggling to get a grip on the political situation... We are in a somewhat hybrid situation where he does not have full power," Mbodj told AFP.
A local election defeat to Sonko's camp could weaken Faye well before 2029, he added.
"For the country's stability, the president will prefer to postpone the elections rather than set a date for January at all costs," he said.
Mbodj argued that Faye may want more time to strengthen his party before facing voters.
But any postponement would require legislation approved by parliament, Fall, the law lecturer, said.
Adding to the uncertainty, Trade Minister Serigne Gueye Diop said this week that Faye was considering dissolving parliament in December and calling early legislative elections.
Local media have also reported that the president has sought the Constitutional Council's opinion on holding local and legislative elections at the same time in 2027.
The presidency did not respond to AFP requests for comment on the issue.
By Malick Rokhy Ba
- Article by AFP