Senegal: Ousmane Sonko, president of the National Assembly, widely re-elected to lead the majority party

Ousmane Sonko has been overwhelmingly re-elected as the president of Senegal's ruling party, Pastef, securing a unanimous vote from delegates. The election took place in Diamniadio, near Dakar, during the party's first congress since its founding in 2014. Sonko has led Pastef since its inception.

This re-election comes at a critical juncture for Senegal, as the country navigates a pronounced political crisis between Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. President Faye, who appointed Sonko as prime minister, later dismissed him on May 22. The political tension between the two former allies could potentially fuel economic instability and erode confidence among international lenders, particularly given Senegal's substantial national debt.

Following Sonko's dismissal, Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, a banker, was appointed prime minister and formed a new government on June 2. Pastef, however, boycotted this government, although it includes allies and dissenting members of the party. Sonko has asserted that Pastef could bring down the new government within 72 hours if it chose to, though he indicated they would not initiate a no-confidence vote, opting instead to "accompany" them.

Pastef holds a commanding 130 out of 165 seats in the National Assembly. This substantial majority empowers the party to file a motion of censure against the government at any time, potentially leading to its downfall. They could also challenge the government's program presentation. However, President Faye retains options, including forming a new government after a censure or dissolving the National Assembly, though the latter is only possible from November 2026. He also has the constitutional power under Article 52 to enact exceptional measures and govern by decree for three months without parliamentary oversight.

“

If Pastef wants, this government can fall within 72 hours. But we will not censor it. We will accompany them.