Former Senegal President Macky Sall will contest a seat in the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for November 17.
Sall’s political party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), has formed a coalition with other opposition groups, including the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), led by former President Abdoulaye Wade.
This coalition, called Takku Wallu Senegal, translates to “Let’s Unite to Save Senegal” in the local Wolof language. Established in September, the coalition aims to gain a majority in the 165-member assembly.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved parliament in September and announced legislative elections for November 17. He said the opposition-controlled parliament hindered his ability to execute his government’s plans at that time.
In Senegal, political parties must submit their candidate lists to the electoral commission (CENA) before parliamentary elections. On election day, citizens vote directly for their chosen list.
Upon counting the votes, the list that secures the most votes will garner all the seats in a district. This method fills 112 of the parliamentary seats.
The remaining 53 parliamentary positions are allocated based on the percentage of votes received nationally.
Former President Sall is at the top of the Takku Wallu Senegal coalition’s proposed list for parliament.
Sall expressed his intention to run to hold the government accountable, adding that the economic progress made during his administration has been “undermined” under President Faye’s leadership. However, Faye’s administration claims it took over a “poorly managed” government.
Sall, 62, served as Senegal’s fourth president from 2012 until 2024.
While Macky Sall could secure a parliamentary seat, he might voluntarily relinquish his position to another leading coalition member.
His coalition will compete against the ruling PASTEF party, led by President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, on November 17.
Senegal, with a population of about 18 million, has nearly 7.4 million registered voters.
