A rapid escalation of political events has gripped Sénégal, marked by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday, May 22. This separation had become almost inevitable, fueled by mounting political tensions and increasingly public disagreements between the two highest figures in the Teranga nation’s executive branch.
Following this development, Malick Ndiaye, the President of the National Assembly, announced his resignation from the parliamentary leadership role, though he intends to remain a member of the legislative body. This move appears to be a calculated maneuver to create an opening for the former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, who has expressed his desire to rejoin the National Assembly and resume his mandate as a deputy.
The rupture appears complete
The Parliament is scheduled to convene in an extraordinary session on May 26 to elect its new president, and this is where Sonko’s future is expected to be decided. All indications suggest that, barring an unforeseen upheaval, the former mayor of Ziguinchor, Ousmane Sonko, who was removed from the Prime Minister’s office under well-known circumstances, is poised to take the helm of the Parliament. This strategic position would allow him to continue his political sparring with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The pressing question now is: how far will this confrontation between the two former allies go? This question gains even more weight considering that beyond the former National Assembly President, whose resignation seems a gesture of loyalty to Sonko, Ousmane Sonko is expected to face little difficulty in securing the leadership of the Parliament if he so wishes. The National Assembly is overwhelmingly dominated by Pastef (Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité), the ruling party, of which Sonko remains the leading figure, commanding approximately 130 out of 165 deputies in the Parliament.
This highlights the immense importance of Tuesday’s session, which could pave the way for the former Prime Minister to remain deeply involved in national politics and within the highest decision-making spheres of the state by becoming the head of Parliament. This is a highly strategic role, particularly in a context where the break between the Thiès native and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye seems complete, as the latter is driven by a strong desire to emerge from the shadow of his former mentor and assert his own authority.
Ousmane Sonko’s potential to obstruct
Nevertheless, in this clash of ambitions between former comrades who have reached the pinnacle of state power, Sénégal faces the risk of an institutional crisis. This is especially true if, as the scenario appears to unfold, Ousmane Sonko is elected President of the National Assembly following the May 26 session. Such an outcome would make him the second-highest personality in the state and the constitutional successor to the President.
This powerful position could be leveraged at any moment to impede government actions through legislative control. It is difficult to predict the extent of the rivalry between these two leaders of the ruling party. If they are not careful, this situation risks negatively impacting the party’s cohesion. Indeed, with these two prominent figures in open conflict, one might wonder if Pastef is not prematurely undermining its own strength.
It is evident that since their ascent to power, Ousmane Sonko has been eager to take Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s place. Sonko propelled Faye into the presidency under circumstances that are well-known — Sonko himself was deemed ineligible after an appeal in May 2023, preventing him from running in the 2024 presidential election. He now clearly intends to be the kingmaker.
All signs suggest that by engaging in open conflict with the head of state, he not only refuses to remain in Faye’s shadow but also believes he holds sufficient leverage to pursue his presidential ambitions, overcoming the judicial hurdle of 2024.
A delicate balance of power
This ambition is further fueled by the new Electoral Code, which was swiftly adopted on May 12. This revision aims to clarify cases of ineligibility and prevent the political disqualification of candidates. However, the opposition viewed it as a means to open the door for candidacies from both Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
While the fierce opponent of former President Macky Sall can still claim significant popularity within the party he founded, the question of his eligibility for the next presidential election, scheduled for March 2029, will likely remain contentious until the Conseil constitutionnel issues a definitive ruling on the matter.
Should the rivalry between these two prominent figures intensify at the highest levels of the state, it would create a delicate balance of power, a kind of “I’ve got you, you’ve got me” situation that bodes ill for Sénégal. Even more so for Pastef, which could be outmaneuvered by a third contender in upcoming elections, or face a protest vote, which Sénégal’s electorate is known for.
For now, hopes are pinned on reason prevailing in the supreme interest of the nation, so that Sénégal does not become hostage to the rivalries between these two political leaders who had promised a new era of governance.
