Senegal's leadership row mounts as parliament speaker resigns

Senegal's leadership row mounts as parliament speaker resigns47 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul NjieBBC Africa

"Deep reflection" and a "sense of duty" were El Malick Ndiaye's stated reasons for stepping down

Anadolu via Getty Images El Malick Ndiaye wears a suit and tie and sits in front of the Senegalese national flag. — "Deep reflection" and a "sense of duty" were El Malick Ndiaye's stated reasons for stepping down

The Speaker of Senegal's parliament El Malick Ndiaye has resigned from his post days after the country's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sacked his mentor-turned-deputy, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and dissolved the government.

Some now speculate there are plans to offer the vacant speaker post to Sonko by loyalists in defiance of the president.

Senegal's current crisis follows months of tension between Sonko and Faye.

In a statement announcing his decision to resign as speaker on Sunday, Ndiaye said it came after "deep reflection" on "the sense of statehood".

"In public responsibilities as well as in the trials of national life, there are times when the interest of the country commands to prioritise integrity, discernment and sense of duty," he added.

MPs have now been asked to meet on Tuesday for a session aimed at bringing Sonko back into parliament and voting for a new speaker.

The former prime minister, who is also the firebrand leader of the Pastef party, was at the top of its list in 2024's legislative elections. Although he was elected, he renounced his legislative duties to continue serving as prime minister.

"I am staying at the prime minister's office. I submitted my resignation letter as a member of parliament," Sonko was quoted as saying two years ago.

However, following the end of his tenure in government, he looks set to return to parliament where his supporters expect him to run for the post of speaker.

With the departure of Sonko and his possible rise to the summit of legislative power, analysts say Faye's power could be significantly limited without parliamentary support.

Sonko's Pastef party already enjoys an absolute majority there - a factor which many say could complicate Faye's ability to introduce policies or reforms.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) owes his job, in large part, to the now-sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left)

AFP via Getty Images Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is pictured with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye — President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) owes his job, in large part, to the now-sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left)

The country now awaits the appointment of a new prime minister, but uncertainty remains over whether their approval process in parliament would be smooth. Lawmakers have up to three months to approve the nominated candidate.

Meanwhile, the president cannot dissolve parliament until at least two years after the last election. That means any move to prematurely end the mandates of lawmakers before November this year would be considered invalid.

The rift between Faye and Sonko further raises uncertainty over the political future of the debt-crippled West African nation, which is no stranger to leadership tussles.

The 51-year-old ex-prime minister commands massive support across the country, especially among young people. While previously serving as a legislator in the opposition, he was renowned for fiercely challenging former President Macky Sall's policies - a trait which he also demonstrated against his boss Faye.

Sonko would almost certainly have taken the top job had he not been barred from running in 2024's presidential election due to a defamation conviction.

It now remains to be seen how far his political separation from Faye would go, and what that would mean for Senegal, which previously drew praise for its youthful and vibrant leadership.