Senegal’s new administration is shifting gears with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launching an extended series of national consultations instead of the traditional May 28 civil society dialogue day, a practice established in 2016.

In place of the single-day event, Faye is organizing ten days of structured discussions with diverse groups including NGOs, political parties, religious leaders, and traditional authorities. This approach reinforces his reputation as a consensus builder, according to political science professor Maurice Soundieck Dione from the University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis.

The president is framing these exchanges as the foundation of his governance style, aiming to address mounting criticism from opposition factions. Among their key grievances is the controversial adoption of the electoral law reform, coupled with upcoming constitutional changes that were pushed through without broad consultation.

Prime Minister Sonko’s parliamentary address

In parallel, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is set to address the National Assembly on May 22, marking his fifth scheduled session for parliamentary questions. While this falls within the official calendar, the timing raises questions about coordination between the two leaders.

Analyst Assane Samb suggests a simple alignment of schedules could have avoided potential overlap. However, political observers like Professor Dione view this as reflective of a broader dynamic: a strategic rivalry between partners at the helm of the state, with each figure positioning to assert their influence in Senegal’s evolving political landscape.