Senegal’s parliament elected former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as speaker on Tuesday, days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him from office amid mounting tensions over the country’s economic direction and debt crisis.
The vote marked a dramatic political reversal for Sonko, whose dismissal on Friday and the dissolution of the cabinet had intensified speculation over a growing rift between the two leaders.
Lawmakers reinstated Sonko as a member of parliament before electing him speaker with 132 votes in favour.
No lawmaker voted against him, while one abstained.
Sonko was the sole candidate for the position and received a prolonged ovation after the result was announced.
Sonko replaces El Malick Ndiaye, a close ally who resigned as speaker on Sunday, paving the way for the former prime minister’s return to parliament.
The position places Sonko in one of Senegal’s most powerful political offices and could complicate President Faye’s ability to advance policy initiatives without parliamentary backing.
Pastef, the ruling party led by Sonko, controls 130 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
Relations between Faye and Sonko had reportedly deteriorated for months, largely over disagreements on how to address Senegal’s worsening debt burden.
The president appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as prime minister on Monday, saying the new premier had the expertise needed to steer the country through its economic difficulties.
Opposition leader Aissata Tall Sall described Sonko’s return to parliament and election as speaker as an “institutional coup”.
She argued that Sonko should have formally resigned as prime minister before reassuming a parliamentary role.
Despite the escalating tensions, Sonko said he would not use his new office “to fight against anyone” and pledged to act in the interests of Senegalese citizens.
He also said his dismissal as prime minister did not signal the end of his political career.
Analysts say Sonko’s new position as speaker, the second-highest office in Senegal’s political system, could become a major counterweight to President Faye as the country faces economic uncertainty and internal political divisions.