Following his dismissal as Prime Minister by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday, May 22, 2025, Ousmane Sonko, a former close associate, has made a powerful return to the political forefront. He was overwhelmingly elected President of the National Assembly on Tuesday, securing the position with the strong majority held by his party, Pastef.

This development signifies Sonko’s renewed influence within the legislative branch, despite evident disagreements with the Head of State, who also belongs to the same Pastef political movement. His election to lead the Parliament places Ousmane Sonko as the second most prominent figure in the Senegalese state hierarchy.

In a related political appointment, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, a former executive from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), was named Prime Minister on Monday evening.

The central question now facing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is how he will navigate this complex political arrangement to effectively govern Senegal and implement crucial reforms, especially as the nation grapples with significant economic challenges.

To shed light on this intricate situation, several distinguished experts offer their perspectives:

• Mamoudou Ibra Kane, a respected journalist and author of “Troisième alternance au Sénégal : mon double regard : Confidences du “sage” Mamadou Badio Camara, défunt président du Conseil constitutionnel.” He is also a prominent leader within the “Demain” political movement.
• Karine Oriot, an insightful journalist and geopolitical analyst.
• Moussa Diaw, an emeritus professor of political science at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, Senegal, and a specialist in international relations.