Dakar — Lawmaker Guy Marius Sagna has sharply criticized the framework of the « National Dialogue » initiated by President Diomaye Faye, questioning its legal structure and long-term objectives. In a widely circulated statement, the PASTEF deputy argues that the current process risks serving narrow political interests rather than addressing the pressing needs of citizens.
Legal framework under scrutiny
The deputy’s concerns center on the 2016 decree governing the National Dialogue, which he describes as outdated and ill-suited for a period of political transformation. Sagna insists that maintaining this legal instrument could undermine the government’s stated goals of structural change, calling for its repeal in favor of more locally rooted consultation mechanisms.
« You cannot steer a revolution with colonial or neocolonial tools, » he declared in his statement, highlighting what he sees as a disconnect between the dialogue’s institutional design and the demands of sovereignty and citizen participation.
Political motives questioned
Beyond legal technicalities, Sagna raises doubts about the dialogue’s true purpose. He warns that the process could be manipulated to exclude or favor certain political actors ahead of upcoming elections, framing it as a potential « political operation » rather than a genuine platform for national reflection.
The parliamentarian advocates for a complete overhaul of the dialogue’s mechanisms, urging authorities to adopt frameworks that empower local governance structures—such as municipal councils and territorial assemblies—to ensure decisions reflect grassroots priorities. His remarks come amid intensifying debates over how the National Dialogue should be structured and implemented.