Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has publicly expressed reservations over a controversial electoral reform backed by lawmakers from his own party, signaling a rare divergence between the presidency and the ruling parliamentary bloc.
Speaking during a televised “Big Interview” on Saturday at the Presidential Palace, Faye said he did not see the urgency behind the proposed amendments to Articles L29 and L30 of Senegal’s electoral code, which were introduced and supported by deputies of the ruling PASTEF.
“I did not see the urgency in making this proposal. We were in a consensual dynamic,” the head of state stated, suggesting that the move disrupted ongoing efforts toward inclusive electoral reform.
The amendments have sparked strong reactions across Senegal’s political landscape, with opposition parties denouncing the initiative as a unilateral step that undermines dialogue and consensus-building around electoral governance.
By referencing a broken “consensual dynamic,” Faye appeared to lend partial credence to those criticisms, indicating that the parliamentary action may not align fully with his broader vision for reforming the electoral system.
The president’s remarks highlight emerging tensions within the ruling establishment, as he sought to draw a clear distinction between his approach and that of his party’s lawmakers in the National Assembly.
In the same interview, Faye issued a pointed warning to his party, cautioning against internal drift and complacency. He urged members of PASTEF to remain grounded in the principles that propelled the movement to power.
“If Pastef is not careful and does not straighten out the trajectory, the party risks collapsing,” he warned, in what observers interpret as a direct message to the party’s leadership and grassroots base.
Faye also moved to recalibrate perceptions surrounding Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the founder of PASTEF, rejecting narratives that elevate him to a quasi-messianic status.
“Ousmane Sonko never believed in messianism, even less in the guide of any revolution,” Faye said, distancing both himself and Sonko from any personality cult within the party.
Through his remarks, the president delivered a dual message: reaffirming the importance of ideological discipline within PASTEF while underscoring that leadership must remain anchored in institutions rather than individuals.
The intervention marks a significant moment in Senegal’s evolving political landscape, as the head of state asserts his authority and vision amid internal and external scrutiny.
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