Senegal's new president may face obstacles to reform

Significance

This follows an upset March 24 victory over his main opponent, ruling party candidate Amadou Ba. Faye ran in place of main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a criminal conviction. Faye campaigned on a populist platform, including promises to tackle corruption, to renegotiate oil and gas contracts and to leave the CFA franc currency zone.

Impacts

• Likely subsidies on essential goods could lead to clashes with the IMF over programme implementation.
• The new administration may seek to renegotiate fishing agreements with the EU.
• Faye will likely dissolve the National Assembly later in the year to secure a parliamentary majority for his policies.