Senegalese opposition gains will be fragile

Significance

Opposition victories in those cities came despite legal imbroglios involving key opposition figures, which some critics of President Macky Sall saw as attempts to skew the political playing field. Prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko’s victory in Ziguinchor makes him a particularly notable beneficiary of these elections.

Impacts

• Sall will delay his official decision to run for a third presidential term as long as possible.
• The ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition will likely hold on to its majority in the legislative elections.
• Unlike most countries in the region, there is little risk of a coup in Senegal.