Senegal Political Turmoil Deepens as Parliament Speaker Resigns After PM’s Dismissal

Senegal’s political crisis intensified on Saturday after National Assembly Speaker El Malick Ndiaye announced his resignation, just days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Ndiaye’s departure is widely seen as opening the door for Sonko to seek leadership of parliament, where the ruling Pastef party controls a strong majority.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Ndiaye described the decision as “a personal choice” made in the interest of protecting national institutions and serving the country’s greater good.

The latest developments highlight growing tensions within Senegal’s ruling alliance. President Faye and Sonko, once close political allies, swept to power in 2024 promising sweeping reforms, anti-corruption measures, and economic recovery. However, disagreements between the two leaders had reportedly been building for months.

Faye’s decision to remove Sonko as prime minister has raised concerns about political stability at a critical moment for the West African nation, which is facing severe debt challenges and delicate negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF previously suspended a $1.8 billion lending programme after hidden debt from the previous administration was uncovered, pushing Senegal’s debt burden to around 132 percent of GDP by the end of 2024.

Before his dismissal, Sonko remained one of Senegal’s most influential political figures. He had originally been expected to contest the 2024 presidential election but was barred because of a defamation conviction. Faye later won the presidency with Sonko’s backing after both men were released from prison shortly before the vote.

Political analysts say Pastef’s dominance in parliament could complicate governance if divisions within the leadership continue to widen. Lawmakers recently approved electoral reforms that may allow Sonko to run for president in the 2029 election.

The government had hoped to restart IMF discussions in June, but the worsening political uncertainty could delay progress on economic reforms and financial agreements.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share