Current Events. The Senegalese National Assembly is scheduled to convene this Tuesday, May 26, to consider the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as a deputy. This pivotal move could potentially position him to assume leadership of the Parliament. However, the political opposition vehemently condemns the ruling majority’s actions, labeling them an “institutional coup d’état.”
A swift resurgence following his dismissal
After being relieved of his duties as Prime Minister last Friday by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following months of growing friction within the highest echelons of government, Ousmane Sonko appears poised for a rapid political comeback. The Parliament has been summoned for a session this Tuesday morning to formally vote on his “reintegration” as a deputy. This vote is a crucial precursor to the election of a new President of the National Assembly. On Sunday, El Malick Ndiaye, a close associate of Mr. Sonko and the incumbent President of the institution, tendered his resignation, effectively clearing the path for the former head of government. Sonko’s political party, Pastef, commands a substantial majority in the Assembly, holding 130 out of 165 seats.
Opposition challenges the legitimacy of the process
Despite the ruling party’s strong position, the primary opposition coalition asserts that Sonko’s proposed reintegration does not align with established institutional regulations. During a press briefing held on Monday, Deputy Aïssata Tall Sall vehemently denounced the situation, characterizing it as an “institutional coup d’état” and an act of “forcing” by the presidential majority. She argued that Ousmane Sonko should have formally resigned from his position as Prime Minister before any official reinstatement as a deputy, even on a temporary basis. The opposition is now urging President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to refer this legal dispute to the Constitutional Council for a definitive ruling.
A relationship now strained with Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Having been barred from contesting the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, Ousmane Sonko had chosen his ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to represent the Pastef party. Mr. Faye’s subsequent election to the presidency heralded the rise to power of a dynamic duo, benefiting from immense popularity among Senegal’s youth. However, over the ensuing months, notable differences began to surface between the two leaders, culminating in Mr. Sonko’s dismissal this past Friday.