Usman Sonko, the President of Senegal, has officially dissolved the opposition-led National Assembly, paving the way for early legislative elections. In an evening address broadcast on state television, the 44-year-old head of state announced that elections will be held on November 17, 2024, marking a significant political shift as he seeks to implement his promised systemic reforms.

President Sonko emphasized that this move is necessary to start a “new phase” of his term and to ensure he has the institutional support needed to follow through on his campaign promises. In his speech, he declared:

“I am dissolving the National Assembly to ask this sovereign people for the institutional means that will enable me to give substance to the systemic transformation that I’ve promised them.”

Sonko’s actions come after repeated frustrations with the opposition majority in Parliament, which has hampered his ability to enact the wide-ranging reforms he campaigned on. His efforts to introduce anti-corruption measures and economic changes—central to his presidential platform—have faced resistance, prompting him to seek fresh elections and, hopefully, a more cooperative legislative body.

Prime Minister Usman Sonko had previously pledged to dissolve the Assembly and launch an extensive investigation into government corruption. However, without a supportive majority, these promises remain difficult to achieve. Now, with early elections, Sonko hopes to gain a stronger mandate to pursue his agenda.

Sonko, who won the March 2024 presidential election on a platform of radical change, has vowed to tackle corruption and introduce sweeping economic reforms. His victory raised hopes, particularly among Senegal’s youth, as two-thirds of the population is under 35. He has also openly criticized his predecessor, Macky Sall, accusing him of misusing public funds. Sonko promised transparency and indicated that a report from Senegal’s Court of Auditors would soon be made public, shedding light on financial mismanagement during Sall’s tenure.

With the dissolution of Parliament and early elections now on the horizon, Senegal is bracing for a new chapter in its political landscape.