Senegal: ousmane sonko’s assembly bid ignites ‘institutional coup’ claims

A rapid political resurgence for Ousmane Sonko 

Just days after his dismissal by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last Friday, following several months of escalating tensions at the highest levels of the Senegalese government, Ousmane Sonko appears poised for a swift political comeback. The Parliament is scheduled to convene on Tuesday morning to vote on his “reintegration” as a deputy, a critical precursor to electing a new President of the National Assembly. This development follows the resignation of El Malick Ndiaye, a close ally of Mr. Sonko and the current head of the institution, on Sunday. Mr. Sonko’s Pastef party commands a substantial majority within the Assembly, holding 130 out of 165 seats. 

Opposition challenges the procedural legitimacy 

However, the main opposition coalition has voiced strong objections, arguing that this reinstatement procedure disregards established institutional regulations. During a press conference held on Monday, Deputy Aïssata Tall Sall sharply criticized the move, labeling it an “institutional coup d’état” and a forceful maneuver by the presidential majority. She contends that Ousmane Sonko should have formally resigned from his Prime Ministerial duties before being officially readmitted as a deputy, even if temporarily. The opposition is now urging President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to refer this legal dispute to the Constitutional Council for a definitive ruling. 

Strained relations between Faye and Sonko 

Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, had endorsed his ally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to represent the Pastef party. Mr. Faye’s subsequent election to the presidency marked the rise of a powerful political duo, enjoying significant popularity among Senegal’s youth. Yet, as the months progressed, notable divergences emerged between the two leaders, ultimately culminating in Mr. Sonko’s dismissal last Friday.