Senegal Parliament Speaker Resigns After President Sacks Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko
El Malick Ndiaye, the Speaker of Senegal’s parliament, has announced his resignation from the post. This move follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent decision to dismiss Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolve the government, escalating a deepening political division between the former allies.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Ndiaye explained his resignation as coming after “deep reflection” on “the sense of statehood”, noting that “the interest of the country commands to prioritise integrity, discernment and sense of duty.”
Members of Parliament are scheduled to convene on Tuesday to consider Sonko’s return to parliament and to vote for a new speaker. Mr Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, was elected to parliament in 2024 but renounced his seat to serve as prime minister. Following his removal from government, he is now expected to seek the speaker’s position, with strong backing from his party, which holds an absolute majority in parliament.
Analysts suggest that Mr Sonko’s potential move to the legislative summit could significantly curtail President Faye’s authority, particularly in introducing new policies or reforms without parliamentary approval. The country awaits the appointment of a new prime minister, a process that could face considerable obstacles in parliament, as lawmakers have up to three months to approve a nominated candidate. President Faye cannot dissolve parliament until November, two years after the last election.
The ongoing power struggle introduces further instability in the West African nation, which faces a substantial national debt and a history of leadership disputes. Mr Sonko, 51, commands significant popular support, particularly among younger demographics, and was known for his fierce opposition to former President Macky Sall’s administration. He was barred from the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, preventing him from seeking the top executive office directly.
