Ousmane Sonko elected Senegal parliament speaker in dramatic comeback

Ousmane Sonko has made a dramatic political comeback in Senegal, securing the position of speaker of the National Assembly just four days after President Bassirou Faye dismissed him as prime minister. His election, following his swift reinstatement as a lawmaker, signals a deepening power struggle at the heart of the country's ruling movement.

Sonko, a prominent opposition figure under the previous administration, was first reinstated as a lawmaker, then elected deputy speaker, before ultimately securing the speaker role with 132 votes. This victory is attributed to the overwhelming majority held by his party, Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’éthique et la Fraternité (PASTEF). Sonko remains a powerful figure, wielding significant influence within the party.

However, his return to parliament has drawn criticism from legal experts and opposition figures who deem it illegal and unconstitutional. They point to Article 54 of the constitution, which prohibits simultaneous government membership and parliamentary mandates. Supporters, conversely, argue that the provision only prevents the concurrent exercise of executive and legislative duties, and that the Constitutional Council validated his election without legal challenge within the deadline.

Sonko's election as speaker positions him as a political counterweight to President Faye, particularly ahead of the 2029 elections. The dismissal followed months of friction between the former allies, reportedly stemming from a power struggle, disagreements over economic policy, and the IMF's suspension of a $1.8 billion loan program due to misreported debt figures. Sonko had previously threatened to withdraw his party from the government, accusing Faye of deviating from their original agenda. Faye has since appointed Ahmadu Al Aminou Lo as the new prime minister.

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Membership in the government is incompatible with a parliamentary mandate and any paid public or private professional activity.