Senegal’s former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has been elected Speaker of the country’s National Assembly in a move that has further intensified political tensions within the West African nation.
Sonko secured the parliamentary position on Tuesday in a vote that was boycotted by opposition lawmakers, just four days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye removed him from office as Prime Minister.
The development marks another significant chapter in Senegal’s evolving political landscape, with opposition figures strongly criticizing Sonko’s swift return to parliament and subsequent rise to the position of Speaker.
Despite his removal as Prime Minister, Sonko remains the dominant force within the ruling Pastef party, which currently controls 130 out of the 165 seats in Senegal’s National Assembly.
During Tuesday’s session, Sonko received a standing ovation after securing 132 votes. No lawmaker voted against him, while only one member abstained. According to the session’s presiding member, Ismael Diallo, Sonko was the sole candidate for the role.
He takes over from former Speaker El Malick Ndiaye, a close ally who resigned on Sunday, a move that effectively opened the path for Sonko’s appointment.
The parliamentary session commenced shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time, with Sonko present throughout the proceedings.
However, the election sparked strong criticism from opposition leaders. Aissata Tall Sall, leader of the main opposition bloc, condemned the process, describing it as an “institutional coup.”
Sall argued that Sonko’s reinstatement to parliament was procedurally flawed, insisting that he should have formally resigned as Prime Minister before temporarily reclaiming a parliamentary seat and later returning to government service if necessary.
President Faye had appointed Sonko as Prime Minister in April 2024 after winning the presidential election a month earlier.
Political analysts have frequently noted that Faye’s rise to power was closely tied to Sonko, who had been widely regarded as the political movement’s driving force. Sonko was unable to contest the presidential election due to a defamation conviction that disqualified him from the race.
As Senegal navigates growing political uncertainty, President Faye continues to face mounting pressure to address economic challenges and deliver on key reforms promised to citizens.
Sonko Elected Senegal National Assembly Speaker After PM Dismissal Amid Opposition Boycott
