Ousmane Sonko was elected speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly on Tuesday in a vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, just days after being dismissed as prime minister.
Sonko’s emergence as head of parliament marks another dramatic twist in Senegal’s political landscape following months of tension within the country’s leadership.
The firebrand politician secured 132 votes during the parliamentary session, with no votes cast against him and one abstention, according to the session’s presiding member, Ismael Diallo.
Sonko received a standing ovation after the announcement and was the only candidate contesting the position.
He replaces El Malick Ndiaye, a close ally who resigned from the role on Sunday, clearing the path for Sonko’s return to parliament leadership.
The National Assembly session began shortly after 9:00 am local time, with Sonko present in the chamber.
The opposition, however, strongly criticised the process and refused to participate in the vote.
Opposition leader Aissata Tall Sall described Sonko’s reinstatement as an “institutional coup,” accusing the ruling majority of forcing the move through parliament.
Sall argued that Sonko should have formally resigned as prime minister and temporarily resumed his parliamentary seat before seeking election as speaker.
Sonko remains the dominant figure within Pastef, the ruling party that currently controls 130 of the National Assembly’s 165 seats.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had appointed Sonko prime minister in April 2024 after winning the presidential election the previous month.
Faye’s rise to power was widely linked to Sonko’s political influence, as the former opposition leader had been barred from contesting the presidency due to a defamation conviction.
The president now faces mounting pressure to implement reforms and stabilise Senegal’s struggling economy amid growing public expectations.
On Monday, Faye appointed senior economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as the country’s new prime minister, saying the appointment was aimed at helping Senegal tackle its worsening debt challenges.
Sonko’s election as parliament speaker is expected to further strengthen his influence within Senegal’s political system despite his removal from government.
