Senegal’s former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was dramatically dismissed on Friday by the president, has been elected Speaker of the National Assembly, setting up a potential source of conflict at the top of Senegalese politics.
The West African nation’s current crisis follows months of tension between Sonko and his one-time ally, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Parliament’s previous Speaker stepped down on Sunday to make way for the former prime minister, a popular figure whose Pastef party holds a majority of seats in the National Assembly.
On Monday, Faye appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo to replace Sonko as prime minister.
Relations between the president and his now-former prime minister had been deteriorating for months, with Sonko openly criticising Faye over his handling of Senegal’s debt problems.
“What is at stake is the relationship between morality and politics,” Sonko said, promising not to use his new position “to fight against anyone,” and instead ensure that parliament acts in the best interests of Senegalese citizens.
However, Sonko also said his dismissal as prime minister did not mark the end of his political career.
His new role as Speaker—the second-highest political position in the country—could limit President Faye’s ability to manoeuvre if he fails to secure parliamentary support for his policies, analysts say.
The president cannot dissolve parliament until at least two years after the last election, meaning any attempt to prematurely end lawmakers’ mandates before November this year would be invalid.
The rift between Faye and Sonko has further deepened uncertainty over the political future of the debt-challenged country.
The 51-year-old former prime minister commands strong support across the country, especially among young people and within his Pastef party.
“Pastef remains open to responsible discussion that sets aside egos to complete this term in the best possible conditions,” he said.
Although he welcomed Lo’s appointment as prime minister, Sonko acknowledged that they have “certain disagreements” on monetary and debt issues.
Lo, 60, is a former head of the Central Bank of West African States and is perceived as more of an establishment figure than Sonko.
Senegal’s public debt, now standing at 132% of GDP, has been a major source of friction, with Faye seen as more receptive to the belt-tightening policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Before Sonko’s dismissal, talks with the IMF were expected to resume in June over the lending programme, Reuters reports.
As an opposition MP, Sonko was known for fiercely challenging former President Macky Sall’s policies—a trait he also demonstrated against his former ally, Faye.
Sonko would almost certainly have taken the top job had he not been barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction.
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