Senegal’s presidential election is causing great political turmoil with the controversial candidacy of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is running as an understudy for imprisoned opponent Ousmane Sonko. Incarcerated since last April for charges of “contempt of court” and “defamation”, Faye managed to have his candidacy validated by the Constitutional Council. This unprecedented situation of a “prisoner-candidate” raises many questions about his ability to lead an effective political campaign from his cell.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, former tax inspector and co-founder of the Pastef party, is considered close to Ousmane Sonko, sharing his anti-system and conservative discourse. His similar background and his support from the party base make him the most legitimate candidate to take over from Sonko. However, his popularity is far from reaching that of the charismatic imprisoned opponent, and his defeat in the 2022 local elections in his commune of Ziguinchor highlights his lack of electoral base.
In addition, the question of the feasibility of his electoral campaign arises, given that he is also behind bars. The law does not provide specific provisions for candidates in his situation, and he could be forced to conduct his campaign from his cell, unless there is an exceptional decision from the President of the Republic to allow him to leave temporarily.
This situation highlights the political and legal tensions surrounding the presidential election in Senegal. Supporters of Ousmane Sonko, although disenchanted by his exclusion from the race, seek to maintain his candidacy by supporting Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Their call is for a sacred union of the opposition and the designation of an independent body to organize the elections, but above all to vote in favor of Faye, thus indirectly representing Sonko.
The outcome of this presidential election remains uncertain, with an imprisoned candidate trying to maintain his presence on the political scene through an understudy. Attention is now focused on Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s ability to run an effective campaign despite the limitations imposed by his detention and on the impact of the mobilization of Sonko’s supporters on the final result. One thing is certain, this election reveals the political and judicial tensions that underlie the Senegalese political scene and promises to be a key moment for the future of the country.