The prospect of dissolving Senegal’s National Assembly remains a contentious issue in the country’s political landscape. During a Saturday rally in Linguère, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko directly addressed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, cautioning him about the electoral fallout of such a move.

According to Sonko, regardless of whether the president opts for local elections or dissolves parliament, the ruling coalition would emerge weakened from any subsequent vote. However, he warned that a dissolution would inflict the most severe damage on the head of state’s political capital.

“If he holds local elections, we will defeat him. If he dissolves the Assembly, it will backfire spectacularly. In fact, that’s precisely what we hope will happen. We will trounce him decisively, and I wouldn’t even rule out him stepping down before 2029,” Sonko declared in a pointed address to the “occupant of the presidential palace.”

His remarks underscore Pastef’s confidence in maintaining an electoral advantage more than a year into the new administration’s tenure.

Call for caution among supporters

Beyond his warning to the president, Sonko also sought to rein in his own supporters. He urged Pastef militants to exercise restraint amid what he described as orchestrated destabilization attempts by political adversaries.

“I call on everyone to remain vigilant and calm,” he stated. “They are attempting to provoke Pastef into reacting, hoping our youth will overreact so they can dissolve the party and revoke its registration.”

Sonko emphasized that his movement’s ability to withstand such provocations would directly shape the outcome of upcoming elections. With unwavering optimism, he predicted that local or early legislative polls would unfold as a “walk in the park” for his party—provided supporters maintain composure.