Senegal’s former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was sacked on Friday by president Bassirou Diomande Faye has returned as Speaker of the national parliament following the resignation of former speaker El Malick Ndiaye
The 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 had appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo to replace Sonko as prime minister after souring relations between the president and his former prime minister, with Sonko openly criticising Faye for his handling of Senegal’s debt problems reached a climax.
What Sonko’s Ascension Means
Sonko’s position 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, that means any move to prematurely end the mandates of lawmakers before November this year would be considered invalid.
The 51-year-old ex-prime minister, Sonko commands massive support across the country, especially among young people.
As an opposition MP he was renowned for fiercely challenging former President Macky Sall’s policies, a trait which he also demonstrated against his protege Faye.
Sonko would almost certainly have contested for presidency had he not been barred from running in 2024’s presidential election because of a defamation conviction.
