Senegal’s National Assembly has elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko as its new speaker, in a vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers amid ongoing political tensions.
Sonko, who was removed from office four days earlier by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, secured 132 votes with no opposition and one abstention, according to parliamentary officials. He was the only candidate for the position.
His election follows months of political friction and comes after opposition lawmakers described his return to the legislature as “illegal.”
Sonko, who remains the leader of the ruling Pastef party holding 130 of the 165 seats in parliament, received a standing ovation during the session held Tuesday morning, which he attended in person.
He replaces El Malick Ndiaye, who resigned on Sunday, clearing the path for his elevation to the speakership.
Opposition leader Aissata Tall Sall condemned the development as an “institutional coup,” arguing that Sonko should have formally resigned as prime minister before resuming a legislative role.
Sonko was appointed prime minister in April 2024 after Faye’s election victory, a win widely attributed to his political influence and popularity. However, he was barred from the presidential race due to a prior defamation conviction.
President Faye, now tasked with addressing Senegal’s economic challenges, recently appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as prime minister, citing the need for expertise to manage the country’s debt burden.
