Senegal Parliament Elects Ousmane Sonko Speaker After Removal as Prime Minister

Senegal’s parliament on Tuesday elected Ousmane Sonko as speaker, just days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him as prime minister amid growing disagreements over the government’s reform agenda and how to handle the country’s worsening debt crisis.

Political analysts say the new role could give Sonko a strong platform to challenge President Faye, although the former premier sought to ease such concerns.

“We are not here to fight the president of the republic, but the assembly will fully carry out its responsibilities,” Sonko told lawmakers after accepting the position.

Investment bank Morgan Stanley warned on Tuesday that Sonko’s removal as prime minister could increase investor fears of a possible Senegal debt default, as the country’s bonds dropped sharply.

Lawmakers pushed back against Faye’s decision to dissolve the cabinet and remove Sonko by reinstating him to parliament and overwhelmingly electing him speaker with support from 132 lawmakers in the 165-member assembly.

The opposition criticised the move, calling it a scandal and questioning whether it was legal.

Power Struggle Between Former AlliesAs parliamentary speaker, Sonko could have significant influence in blocking or delaying President Faye’s legislative agenda, according to Signal Risk analyst Greg Musiker.

The two leaders, both members of the ruling PASTEF party, have reportedly been involved in an escalating struggle for influence since winning power together in 2024, with disagreements emerging over policy, authority, and the direction of Senegal’s reforms.

President Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, an experienced economist and former regional central bank official, as the new prime minister late Monday.

Sonko, known for criticising the International Monetary Fund (IMF), had opposed restructuring Senegal’s debt, while Lo’s position on the matter remains unclear.

Sonko’s return to a senior political position has increased uncertainty over how Senegal will approach negotiations with the IMF and international creditors.

“We must be honest and admit that we have some differences,” Sonko said, referring to Lo. “Especially on monetary policy, debt management, and related issues.”

Before the cabinet was dissolved last week, Senegal had expected to resume talks with the IMF next month over a new lending programme.Sonko described the latest political developments as a test of Senegal’s democracy.

“Senegal must show Africa that a political crisis can be managed without hatred, violence, or institutional collapse. We must prove that an African nation can debate firmly without destroying its own state,” he said.