Senegal’s former Prime Minister Sonko elected as National Assembly speaker

Senegal’s National Assembly elected former prime minister Ousmane Sonko as its speaker on Tuesday, a decision that was boycotted by opposition lawmakers. The vote followed months of political tension that ended with Sonko’s dismissal by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Sonko’s election came four days after Faye removed him from office, an act that opposition members have declared “illegal.” The ruling party, Pastef, which holds 130 of the 165 seats in the legislature, has not disputed Sonko’s leadership.

During the session, presided over by Ismael Diallo, Sonko received 132 votes in a unanimous show of support, with a single abstention and no opposition votes. He was the only candidate for the position.

He succeeds El Malick Ndiaye, a loyal supporter who resigned on Sunday, clearing the way for Sonko’s ascension.

The parliamentary meeting began shortly after 9:00 am local time. Sonko was present at the session.

Aissata Tall Sall, head of the main opposition, condemned the move as an “institutional coup,” arguing that it was carried out under “pressure that the majority wants to impose.” She added that Sonko should have resigned as prime minister before re‑entering parliament, even temporarily, before returning to government.

Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister in April 2024 after winning the presidential election the month before. Faye’s authority is largely attributed to Sonko, who would have likely taken the top job had he not been barred from the presidential race by a defamation conviction.

Faye now faces the challenge of governing and implementing reforms in a country grappling with severe economic difficulties. On Monday, he named senior economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as the new prime minister, citing Lo’s expertise as essential for steering Senegal out of crippling debt.