Senegal faces political instability in coming months

Significance

The delay of the polls to December 15 has provoked domestic, regional and Western criticism. The postponement was announced by President Macky Sall and endorsed by a parliamentary alliance between the ruling Benno Bokk Yaakaar’s (BBY) coalition and the second-largest opposition party, the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS).

Impacts

• Prolonged instability may challenge the military’s historic attachment to democratic institutions, increasing the coup risk.
• Political turmoil could dampen Senegal’s economic growth, projected to be among the highest in the world in 2024.
• Sall may seek to limit the number of individuals who can run for the presidency by changing candidate sponsorship rules.