Ousmane Sonko urges President Diomaye to set local election date

During a campaign stop in Louga, northern Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling party Pastef Les Patriotes, called on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to schedule the upcoming local elections without delay.

The national assembly president was in Louga as part of his party’s nationwide card distribution drive, addressing a large crowd of supporters and activists. Sonko emphasized that presidential decrees are routinely used to appoint or dismiss officials, and he argued that fixing an election date should follow the same administrative process.

« Issuing a decree to remove officials like Fadilou Keïta or Waly Diouf Bodiang falls within the president’s powers—no one disputes that. Yet, the same simple decree mechanism should apply to setting the election date, » Sonko declared, drawing applause from the audience.

For weeks, Pastef has insisted that local elections should not be postponed. In Louga, Sonko went further, suggesting that the delay in announcing the vote date may stem from the president’s concerns about his party’s growing momentum. He warned that President Faye might fear the « energy and mobilization » of his supporters, whom Sonko referred to as « patriots. »

The remarks underscore rising political tensions as Senegal prepares for key local elections, with Sonko positioning himself as a vocal advocate for timely democratic processes.