The possibility of dissolving Senegal’s National Assembly continues to spark debate across the country’s political spectrum. During a Saturday rally in Linguère, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko took the opportunity to directly address President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, warning of the electoral consequences such a move could trigger.

According to Sonko, regardless of the path President Faye chooses, the ruling party would emerge weakened from a fresh electoral contest. However, he emphasized that a dissolution of parliament would hit the presidency hardest, potentially backfiring spectacularly against the head of state.

« If he calls local elections, we will defeat him. If he dissolves the Assembly, it will be even worse for him. In fact, that’s exactly what we prefer. We will win decisively, and I even fear he might step down before 2029, » Sonko declared in an unfiltered address to what he termed the « occupant of the presidential palace. » His words reflect a bold confidence in Pastef’s electoral strength, more than a year into the party’s governance.

Sonko urges calm among supporters amid political tensions

Beyond his warning to the president, Sonko also sought to rein in his own supporters. He called on Pastef militants to exercise restraint in the face of what he described as orchestrated destabilization attempts by political opponents.

« I urge everyone to remain vigilant and composed. They are trying to provoke Pastef so that our youth react, giving them an excuse to dissolve the party and revoke its registration, » he cautioned, stressing that any missteps could be exploited against his movement.

In Sonko’s view, the ability of his militants to withstand these provocations will directly shape the outcome of upcoming elections. With calm and discipline, he predicts that both local and potential legislative snap elections would result in an easy victory for his camp—a contest he already frames as a « walk in the park. »