Bassirou Diomaye Faye has not closed the door on dissolving the National Assembly, now led by his former ally Ousmane Sonko. In an interview on Thursday, September 24, in New York, the Senegalese president linked any decision to how relations between institutions evolve, as his government prepares to defend its budget choices before an Assembly dominated by Pastef.

“Why exclude a prerogative that the Constitution grants you?” the head of state replied when asked whether he was considering dissolving the Assembly. He announced neither a dissolution nor an election date. “It’s all a matter of necessity or context. When the time comes, depending on what we face, we will decide,” he added.

This response comes after a political rupture he now names without hesitation. Questioned about the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko, his former prime minister, Bassirou Diomaye Faye cited “persistent differences on certain issues.” “When this breach of trust persisted, I chose another prime minister,” he explained. He nevertheless dismissed the idea that discussions with the International Monetary Fund alone caused their split.

The disagreement now also plays out in Parliament. Ousmane Sonko took the presidency of the National Assembly after leaving the government, giving him a central role in scrutinizing texts brought by the executive. Asked about a possible rejection of the amended finance law by Pastef lawmakers, Faye defended each institution’s own responsibility: “Everyone assumes their responsibilities and the people decide.”

To accusations of betrayal from some members of his former party, the president countered with his commitment as head of state. “The only thing I am capable of betraying is my oath,” he declared. How the political confrontation unfolds will depend notably on how the Assembly receives the government’s financial measures.

Macky Sall at the UN: Faye defends a surprising support

Bassirou Diomaye Faye has reaffirmed his support for the candidacy of his predecessor Macky Sall for the position of United Nations secretary-general. Despite doubts expressed about his chances, the Senegalese president believes “the game remains open” and says he is in talks with members who will influence the choice.

To justify this position, Faye highlights Macky Sall’s international experience and Africa’s representation at the UN. “Who is better today to defend a greater place for Africa than President Macky Sall?” he asked during his interview.

The head of state also invoked the debt issue, at the heart of Senegal’s current financial difficulties. According to him, Macky Sall has “endured the throes of debt,” an experience that would make him fit to advocate for a reform of the international financial architecture. Faye did not address, in this response, the responsibilities attributed to the former government in the undeclared debt.