Actus. The National Assembly of Sénégal is set to review the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as a deputy this Tuesday, May 26. This pivotal move could pave the way for him to assume the leadership of the Parliament. However, the opposition coalition is vehemently accusing the ruling majority of orchestrating an «institutional coup d’état».
Rapid rise following his dismissal
Just last Friday, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye relieved Ousmane Sonko of his duties as Prime Minister following months of escalating tensions at the highest echelons of government. Yet, Mr. Sonko appears poised for a swift political comeback. The Parliament has been convened for Tuesday morning to vote on his «reintegration» as a deputy, a necessary step before proceeding with the election of a new National Assembly president. The path for the former head of government was further cleared on Sunday when El Malick Ndiaye, a close associate of Mr. Sonko and the current president of the institution, tendered his resignation. Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party commands a significant majority in the assembly, holding 130 out of 165 seats.
Opposition challenges the procedure
However, the primary opposition coalition asserts that this reinstatement process fundamentally disregards institutional regulations. During a press conference held on Monday, Deputy Aïssata Tall Sall sharply condemned the situation, labeling it an «institutional coup d’état» and an aggressive «power play» by the presidential majority. She argued that Ousmane Sonko should have formally relinquished his Prime Ministerial role before any official, even temporary, reinstallation as a deputy could occur. The opposition is now urging President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to refer the matter to the Conseil constitutionnel to resolve this legal dispute.
A now strained relationship with Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Having been barred from contesting the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, Ousmane Sonko had instead endorsed his close ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to represent the Pastef party. Mr. Faye’s subsequent election to the presidency heralded the rise of a dynamic duo, enjoying immense popularity, particularly among Sénégal’s youth. Nevertheless, as the months progressed, clear differences emerged between the two leaders, culminating in Mr. Sonko’s dismissal this past Friday.
