Senegal has been plunged into a widening political crisis after the speaker of parliament, El Malick Ndiaye, resigned just days after the dismissal of his close ally and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko, intensifying tensions at the heart of the country’s governing elite.
Ndiaye’s resignation marks another dramatic turn in the growing fallout between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sonko, two figures whose alliance once powered the political movement that swept Pastef to victory in the 2024 elections. Their partnership, once seen as a symbol of generational political change in Senegal, has now fractured into open confrontation, raising questions about governance stability in one of West Africa’s most influential democracies.
According to parliamentary sources cited in official communications, lawmakers have been summoned for a plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, where Sonko is expected to be reinstated as a member of parliament and a new speaker will be voted in. The developments suggest that Sonko, despite being removed from the executive branch, retains significant influence within the legislature due to Pastef’s strong parliamentary majority.
The resignation of Ndiaye is widely viewed as part of an internal power realignment within the ruling party. Analysts say it may pave the way for Sonko to contest the position of parliamentary speaker, further consolidating his influence in state institutions even after his removal from the prime minister’s office.
The crisis escalated after President Faye dismissed Sonko from his position as prime minister following months of rising political tension. The decision shocked many supporters of Pastef, the party that rode a wave of public dissatisfaction to win both the presidency and parliamentary control. The dismissal also exposed deep divisions over economic policy direction, governance style, and the handling of Senegal’s growing debt burden.
Sonko, once considered Faye’s political mentor and a dominant figure in the movement, had become increasingly critical of the president’s leadership. He accused Faye of failing to take decisive action against corruption and not adequately supporting reforms promised during the election campaign. His supporters argue that Sonko remains the ideological leader of Pastef, while Faye holds constitutional authority as head of state.
The rift has now created what political analysts describe as a difficult cohabitation scenario, where the president governs without full confidence in the loyalty of his own party’s parliamentary majority. Experts warn that this situation could slow down key reforms and complicate fiscal decision making at a time when Senegal is facing significant debt pressures.
With parliament still firmly controlled by Pastef, Faye’s ability to pass legislation depends heavily on maintaining internal party cohesion. However, growing factionalism suggests that legislative unity is no longer guaranteed. The possibility of a motion of no confidence or internal rebellion in parliament has also been raised by political observers, although constitutional constraints limit immediate institutional reshuffling.
Under current rules, the president cannot dissolve parliament until later in the year, giving lawmakers significant leverage in shaping the next phase of the political struggle. Meanwhile, Sonko’s political future remains open, with recent legal and electoral adjustments reportedly making him eligible to run for the presidency in future contests.
Public reaction in Dakar has been tense, with supporters of Sonko gathering outside his residence following his dismissal, signalling that the political dispute is not only institutional but also deeply popular among segments of the youth who view him as a symbol of change.
The unfolding situation highlights the fragile balance between executive authority and parliamentary power in Senegal’s evolving democratic system. While the country has long been seen as one of the most stable democracies in the region, the breakdown of trust between its top leaders now raises uncertainty over the direction of governance and reform.
As political negotiations continue behind closed doors, attention is turning to how President Faye will rebuild his administration and whether a new prime minister can stabilise the ruling coalition. At the same time, Sonko’s next political move remains closely watched, with the potential to reshape Senegal’s political landscape in the months ahead.
