In a departure from the annual May 28 dialogue day convened by former president Macky Sall in 2016 with civil society, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to hold ten days of nationwide consultations with diverse groups including NGOs, political parties, traditional leaders, and religious figures.

« A clear signal of his commitment to dialogue », notes Maurice Soundieck Dione, a political science professor at the University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis. As President Faye positions consultation as the cornerstone of his governance style, these meetings aim to address criticisms from opposition parties, who argue that key reforms—such as the controversial electoral law and recently announced constitutional changes—lack adequate consultation.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s address to lawmakers

Nearly simultaneously, the other leader of the executive branch, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, is set to address members of the National Assembly on Friday, May 22.

While this fifth session of current affairs questions falls within the official parliamentary calendar, its timing raises questions. Analyst Assane Samb suggests that « a better coordination between the two leaders could have been possible ». However, political observer Maurice Soundieck Dione sees this as a natural outcome of « a dynamic where rival associates at the helm of the state compete to assert their influence », with each seeking to « carve out their own space ».