Senegal’s parliament has elected former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as its new speaker in a major political development that highlights growing tensions within the country’s leadership.
Sonko’s election comes shortly after he was removed from the position of prime minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who also dissolved the cabinet amid concerns over rising economic challenges and internal disagreements.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of Sonko, with 132 votes, after he was reinstated as a member of parliament earlier in the day. He was the only candidate for the position and received strong backing from the ruling Pastef party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly.
Following his election, Sonko was greeted with applause from lawmakers, while one member abstained and no votes were cast against him.
His return to a senior legislative role is seen as a potential power shift that could give him significant influence over national politics, even after his removal from the executive branch.
The leadership change follows weeks of political uncertainty in Senegal, marked by disagreements within the country’s top leadership over how to address the ongoing debt and economic crisis.
Opposition figures have criticised the move, describing it as an “institutional coup” and questioning the legality of Sonko’s rapid transition between executive and legislative roles.
Sonko, a dominant figure in Senegalese politics and leader of the Pastef party, previously served as prime minister after President Faye’s election victory, but their relationship has reportedly deteriorated in recent months.
President Faye has since appointed a new prime minister as part of efforts to stabilise governance and manage Senegal’s financial difficulties.
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