Senegal’s political scene is heating up again after the newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, publicly criticized recent decisions surrounding the country’s new government formation.
Speaking for the first time since taking office, Sonko questioned the process that led to the appointment of a new prime minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, arguing that his political movement was excluded from key consultations.
“Our political party was not involved in the consultations that led to the appointment of a prime minister. It is not, to this day, involved in the consultations for the formation of a government,” Sonko told lawmakers. “Consequently, I would like to say that you cannot have Pastef without Pastef.”
Sonko, who leads the PASTEF, described the party as a unique political force operating both within government and opposition spaces — a situation he called unprecedented in Senegal’s political history.
“PASTEF, which is the political party… remains open to a responsible discussion that sets egos aside in order to find ways and means for calm, peaceful governance,” he added.
The controversy follows President Faye’s recent decision to dismiss Sonko as prime minister and dissolve the cabinet, just days before appointing a new head of government. The move has deepened tensions within the ruling coalition, with disagreements reportedly linked to the country’s struggling economy and internal power struggles.
The opposition has also reacted strongly, accusing Sonko’s return to parliament of being unconstitutional. In protest, opposition lawmakers boycotted the parliamentary session and walked out before his speech began.
As Senegal navigates this political shake-up, observers say the coming weeks will test the stability of the ruling alliance and the durability of its reform promises.
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