Senegal's National Assembly elected former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as its new speaker on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 [1].
The appointment marks a significant escalation in a political dispute between Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Because Sonko was previously dismissed from the premiership, his return to a position of legislative power creates a potential conflict between the executive and legislative branches of the government.
Sonko replaces El Malick Ndiaye in the speaker's role [1]. The election took place in Dakar following months of political tension that began when President Faye fired Sonko from his position as prime minister [2].
Opposition parties boycotted the vote, which they said was a power grab [2]. The move has been characterized by some observers as a challenge to the president's authority — and by others as a democratic coup [3].
While the National Assembly has now formalized Sonko's leadership, the absence of the opposition during the proceedings suggests a deepening divide within the country's political landscape [2]. The shift in leadership comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the stability of the current administration's internal alliances.
“Senegal's National Assembly elected former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as its new speaker”
The election of Ousmane Sonko as Speaker shifts the balance of power in Senegal by placing a former rival of the president in control of the legislative agenda. By returning to the center of political power after being ousted from the premiership, Sonko may be positioned to obstruct or influence presidential policy, potentially leading to legislative gridlock or a further realignment of the ruling coalition.
