Senegal Speaker El Malick Ndiaye Resigns as Sonko, 51, Eyes Parliament Post
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 25
Senegal Speaker El Malick Ndiaye Resigns as Sonko, 51, Eyes Parliament Post
9 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 25
El Malick Ndiaye quit as Senegal's parliament speaker on Sunday, deepening a power struggle days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government.
Tuesday's parliamentary session is set to restore Sonko to his seat and elect a new speaker, opening a path for the former premier to take the chamber's top job.
Pastef already holds an absolute majority, so Sonko's return to parliament could sharply curb Faye's room to pass reforms and complicate approval of a new prime minister, which lawmakers can take up to three months to confirm.
The standoff leaves the debt-hit West African nation in political limbo because Faye cannot dissolve parliament until two years after the last election, making any move before November invalid.
A court will decide the new Speaker's fate. Can Senegal's constitution survive this presidential showdown?
As Senegal's leaders clash, is the nation's economy and vital IMF loan hanging in the balance?
Senegal 2026: Sonko’s Return as Speaker Sparks Institutional Crisis and Economic Uncertainty
Overview
In May 2026, Senegal experienced a dramatic political shift when President Faye overhauled the government by sacking the Prime Minister and dissolving parliament, paving the way for Ousmane Sonko’s election as Speaker of the National Assembly. Sonko’s return to this influential post marked a pivotal moment, signaling a new balance of power and introducing uncertainty about the country’s policy direction. This transformation set the stage for a rivalry between the executive and legislative branches, raising concerns about legislative deadlock and the future of Senegal’s economic and political stability.