Politics 26 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ousted PM Sonko Elected Senegal Parliament Speaker
Ousmane Sonko, recently dismissed as Prime Minister, has been elected as the new speaker of Senegal's National Assembly. This appointment follows his removal from the premiership by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/senegal-parliament-elects-ousted-prime-minister-sonko-as-speaker-5474114
Senegal’s National Assembly has elected Ousmane Sonko as its new speaker, a significant political development just days after his dismissal as Prime Minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The election occurred on Tuesday, with Sonko securing a strong mandate from lawmakers.
Sonko’s removal from the government on Friday by President Faye, alongside the dissolution of the cabinet, had fueled speculation about divisions within the leadership. These concerns were heightened by the government’s discovery of substantial unreported debt, raising questions about its ability to manage national loans.
Despite his recent dismissal, parliamentarians moved to reinstate Sonko as a member and subsequently voted him into the speaker’s position with 132 votes in favour. This outcome, however, has drawn criticism from the opposition.
Opposition figures have labeled the process a “scandal” and expressed doubts regarding the legitimacy of Sonko’s election. “What is happening is a black day at the National Assembly,” stated opposition lawmaker Abdou Mbow, reflecting the contentious nature of the appointment.