Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has confirmed he will retain his position, ending speculation that he might step down to lead parliament after his party, Pastef, secured a historic majority in last month’s snap elections.
Sonko, a key figure in the political landscape, submitted his resignation as a member of Parliament on Monday, affirming his decision to stay on as prime minister.
Pastef, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sonko, achieved a sweeping 130-seat majority in the 165-seat national assembly during the November 17 elections. The victory has set the stage for transformative reforms in Senegal, a nation grappling with inflation and unemployment.
Speculation had grown over whether Sonko might take on the role of parliamentary president to maintain institutional balance in the executive, particularly as President Faye owes much of his success to Sonko’s influence.
However, Sonko clarified his stance during a session at the national assembly, stating, “We have started work at the prime minister’s office. The president needs me by his side. We are continuing this work.”
Pastef’s dominance in the legislature offers Senegal’s government an unparalleled opportunity to implement its ambitious reform agenda. Yet, it also raises questions about the concentration of power within the executive.
