Senegal's parliament speaker quits two days after prime minister sacked
Lawmakers are set to restore Ousmane Sonko to parliament and vote on a new speaker as the ruling party’s split deepens, officials said.
- Senegal's National Assembly President El Malick Ndiaye announced his resignation on Sunday, two days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, citing "deep reflection" and "sense of duty" as his reasons.
- President Faye dismissed Sonko on Friday after months of escalating tension between the two leaders who swept to power together in 2024; relations soured over economic policy as Faye criticized the "excessive personalization" of the ruling party under Sonko.
- Senegal's debt burden reached 132% of GDP, prompting the International Monetary Fund to freeze a $1.8 billion lending program amid fiscal crisis. A recent electoral code amendment now makes Sonko eligible to run for the presidency in 2029.
- Members of parliament convene on Tuesday to reinstate Sonko as a lawmaker and elect a new speaker. Research director Babacar Ndiaye of the West African Think Tank warned "it is going to be complicated to cohabit with this majority of the Pastef party in the Assembly."
- Sonko's potential ascension to the speakership could severely constrain Faye's governing authority; if he secures the post, he could leverage structural reforms required by international lenders, whom he has historically opposed. Faye must nominate a new prime minister requiring three-month parliamentary approval.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Following the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko by his wrestling brother, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on Friday, 22 May, the political field continues to be recomposed in Senegal. On Tuesday, 26 May, the National Assembly must meet in plenary to elect its new president, the incumbent of the post, El Malick Ndiaye, having announced his resignation on Sunday, 24 May.
Senegal parliament speaker resigns, paving way for Ousmane Sonko to replace him
The speaker of Senegal's parliament said Sunday he was resigning, two days after his close ally was fired as prime minister, deepening a political crisis in the debt-laden West African country.
Senegal's parliament speaker steps down two days after PM was sacked amid a political crisis
The speaker of Senegal's parliament said Sunday he was resigning, two days after his close ally was fired as prime minister, deepening a political crisis in the debt-laden West African country.
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