Sonko criticises electoral decree delay amidst political tensions

Sonko urges swift presidential action on local polls

Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Patriotes movement, has sharply criticised the delay in issuing a decree to set the date for Senegal’s upcoming local elections. Speaking during a high-energy rally in the heart of Ndiambour, he underscored the president’s constitutional authority to act, comparing the situation to recent ministerial reshuffles. « Issuing decrees to dismiss officials like Waly Diouf Bodiang or Fadilou Keïta falls within the president’s powers — no one disputes that. But the same urgency must apply to setting the election date. These are all administrative acts, » Sonko argued, referencing the sudden replacement of Waly Diouf Bodiang as head of the Dakar Port Authority and the looming departure of Fadilou Keïta from the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

The political atmosphere in Dakar remains charged as the countdown to the polls intensifies. Sonko, who has been vocal against any postponement since launching his voter registration drive in late July, dismissed concerns about delays. His stance reflects growing public unease over institutional gridlock, particularly as no electoral decree has yet been signed by the presidency.

Institutional rifts deepen over electoral calendar

The absence of a formal decree has heightened tensions between the executive and legislative branches. Observers warn that the president’s window to act is narrowing rapidly, with electoral experts cautioning that further delays could derail the legal framework entirely. Djibril Gningue, a seasoned electoral analyst, has highlighted that failure to act within days risks rendering the electoral calendar unworkable.

The standoff comes as Sonko’s movement gains traction ahead of the polls, with his calls for transparency resonating across key regions. His latest intervention signals a potential escalation in the political debate over the timing and legitimacy of the elections, as Senegal’s institutions grapple with mounting pressure.