By Staff Reporter
Ousmane Sonko launched a sharp attack on the appointment of Senegal’s new prime minister during his first address as speaker of the National Assembly, exposing growing divisions within the country’s ruling camp.
Speaking before lawmakers in Dakar on Tuesday, Sonko said his PASTEF party had been excluded from consultations that led President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to appoint a new head of government.
“Our political party was not involved in the consultations that led to the appointment of a prime minister,” Sonko told parliament. “Consequently, I would like to say that you cannot have Pastef without Pastef.”
The remarks marked Sonko’s first public comments since his removal as prime minister and election as speaker of the National Assembly.
President Faye dismissed Sonko and dissolved the cabinet four days ago after months of tensions within the governing alliance, particularly over Senegal’s struggling economy and disagreements on the direction of government policy.
Despite the fallout, Sonko insisted PASTEF remained central to Senegalese politics, describing the party as both a governing force and a key opposition voice.
“Pastef remains open to responsible discussions that set egos aside in order to find ways and means for calm and peaceful governance,” he said.
The opposition boycotted the parliamentary session and walked out before Sonko’s speech, arguing that his return to the National Assembly violated constitutional procedures.
Sonko’s appointment as speaker has intensified political uncertainty in Senegal, raising fresh questions about the stability of the alliance that swept President Faye and PASTEF to power earlier this year.
