Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, offered his analysis of Senegal’s political situation. He dismissed any idea of a split between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, but pointed to a lack of harmony.
According to him, the Pastef leader made a strategic error by pursuing the National Assembly presidency. Tine believes that with his ambition to become president of the republic, Sonko should have stepped aside after leaving the prime minister post, focused on running his party, and let Senegalese voters bring him to power in 2029.
Tine also highlighted former National Assembly president El Malick Ndiaye, praising the work he was doing at the helm of parliament. Speaking on the Tolouway program, Tine said Ndiaye perfectly embodied the position and met public expectations.
In his view, the top parliamentary post adds no benefit to Sonko, since the deputies already support him. Oversight and leadership of the assembly could have been handled remotely, while allowing El Malick Ndiaye to continue his mission.
