Senegal finds itself in uncharted political waters after El Malick Ndiaye, a close ally of Ousmane Sonko, announced his resignation from the National Assembly presidency over the weekend. In a brief Facebook statement, Ndiaye cited a personal choice driven by the supreme national interest, offering no further clarification on his decision.

The timing couldn’t be more critical: his resignation follows the dramatic removal of Ousmane Sonko from the prime minister’s office by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye – a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.

Sonko poised to take the helm?

With Ndiaye’s departure, the door is now wide open for Ousmane Sonko to potentially assume leadership of the National Assembly. The Pastef party leader remains the dominant force in Senegal’s parliamentary majority, controlling 130 out of 165 seats following the November 2024 legislative elections.

Sonko’s political journey has been nothing short of extraordinary: barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a judicial ruling, he masterminded the election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye under the banner Diomaye Moy Sonko – a campaign slogan that resonated across the nation.

A presidency under strain

The rift between the two leaders has been growing for months, culminating in Friday’s decisive break. This political earthquake raises serious questions about President Faye’s ability to govern effectively and push through critical reforms in an already challenging economic climate.

The coming days may well determine whether Senegal’s government can weather this storm or whether the crisis will escalate further.