Senegal’s parliament has elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko as its speaker, days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him from government and dissolved the cabinet, deepening a political rift at the top of the West African state.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to install Sonko as speaker of the 165-member National Assembly, with 132 votes in favour and no votes against. The decision followed his reinstatement as a member of parliament after his removal as prime minister on Friday. His Pastef party, which holds a strong majority in the legislature, supported his election, while opposition figures criticised the process and questioned its legality.
Sonko’s appointment marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two former allies, who rose to power together in 2024 but have since clashed over economic policy and the government’s response to a worsening debt crisis. President Faye appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new prime minister on Monday, describing him as better suited to steer Senegal through fiscal challenges and ongoing negotiations with international lenders.
Investor confidence has also come under pressure, with analysts warning that political instability could complicate talks with the International Monetary Fund and heighten concerns over debt sustainability.
Speaking after his election, Sonko sought to ease concerns about confrontation with the presidency. “We are not here to fight against the president of the republic, but the assembly will fully play its role,” he stated. He also acknowledged differences with the new prime minister, noting, “I must be truthful and say that we have some differences,” particularly on monetary policy and debt management.
Sonko described the situation as a test for national institutions, adding, “Senegal must show Africa that a political crisis can be faced without hatred, without violence and without institutional collapse. We must prove that an African people can debate firmly without destroying its own state.”
