Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko warns political foes after re-election

Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s National Assembly leader and former Prime Minister, has secured a sweeping re-election as head of his political party, Pastef, sending a strong signal to rivals amid the nation’s ongoing political turbulence.

The landmark gathering, marking Pastef’s first national congress since its founding in 2014, drew delegates from across Senegal and the diaspora at the Diamniadio conference center near Dakar. Sonko’s victory extends his leadership for another six-year term, underscoring his firm grip on the movement that has reshaped the country’s political landscape.

“This responsibility weighs heavily on me,” Sonko declared from the podium. “Pastef is no ordinary party in Senegal’s political arena.” He emphasized the risks of revolutions losing their way without clear ideology and strong organizational roots, calling the congress a pivotal moment two years after his party’s rise to national leadership.

The political shift began when Bassirou Diomaye Faye, backed by Pastef, won the presidency in 2024, but Sonko himself was barred from running. After months of escalating tensions, President Faye removed Sonko as Prime Minister on May 22, reassigning him days later as President of the National Assembly.

At the congress, Sonko struck a defiant tone, warning of attempts to derail Pastef’s vision. “No sabotage will succeed,” he declared. “The people, standing with Pastef, will ensure our nation is finally freed.”

Pastef, holding 130 of 165 parliamentary seats, holds significant leverage—enough to trigger a no-confidence motion at any time. While President Faye can reshuffle the government after such a move, he must wait until November 2026 to dissolve parliament, adding a layer of strategic uncertainty to the political standoff.

The party’s leadership has already distanced itself from the new government, despite some Pastef members being appointed to ministerial posts. This signals a deepening divide between Sonko’s faction and the administration, raising questions about Senegal’s political stability in the months ahead.