Ousted Senegal PM Sonko re-elected head of party amid political crisis

Ousmane Sonko, the speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly and former prime minister, was re‑elected as the head of the Pan‑African Pastef party on Saturday. The decision came amid a political crisis that began after Sonko was dismissed from his role as prime minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on 22 May.

According to a text read aloud at the party congress in Diamniadio, outside Dakar, Sonko secured the leadership position with a decisive majority. The vote took place during a gathering that highlighted the growing rift between Sonko and President Faye.

Sonko had previously supported Faye’s candidacy for the presidency after the popular opposition leader was barred from contesting the 2024 election. He then served as Faye’s prime minister until their relationship deteriorated over several months.

Following his dismissal, Sonko was elected speaker of the National Assembly, a post he holds to this day. The split has sparked political instability in the heavily indebted West African nation and has left the country’s largest parliamentary party in a state of uncertainty.

The article “Ousted Senegal PM Sonko re‑elected head of party amid political crisis” first appeared on Vanguard News.