Senegal’s President to Dissolve Opposition-Dominated Parliament: PM

Wed Sep 04 2024
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Monitoring Desk
Senegal, President, Parliament, Government, Prime Minister, Corruption, Accountability, Social Media, Bassirou Diomaye Faye
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DAKAR: Senegal’s newly elected president is set to dissolve the opposition-dominated parliament and launch an ambitious anti-corruption campaign in the coming days that could target dozens, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on Wednesday. The move follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s promise of radical change upon his election in March.

Sonko, appointed by Faye in April, made the announcement during a speech to prime ministerial staff. The statement comes amidst growing political tension as a coalition led by former President Macky Sall, who still holds significant influence in the national assembly, has tabled a motion of censure against Sonko’s government.

“I can assure you that there will be no motion of censure between now and September 12, and that on the 12th, please God, these people will have something else to do than be MPs,” Sonko said in a video posted on social media.

Faye and Sonko are seeking a parliamentary majority to push forward their agenda of leftist pan-Africanism and social justice. The dissolution of the national assembly, which was elected in 2022, cannot occur until it has been in session for at least two years. According to reports, the assembly’s two-year mark will be reached on September 12.

The prime minister’s remarks underscore the challenges faced by the new government due to significant opposition from former President Sall’s supporters, who still hold a majority in the assembly.

Meanwhile, Sonko announced a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, which he emphasized would be a cornerstone of the new administration’s policies. “We will have zero tolerance on corruption,” Sonko stated. He revealed plans to introduce “new public policy guidelines” for the period up to 2050, and specific plans for the next five and ten years.

Sonko also said that accountability measures would be swiftly enacted, with former leaders being targeted in the forthcoming campaign. “The debate on accountability… will start now, this very week,” he said, noting that some individuals have already been prevented from leaving the country as part of the investigation.

 

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