Di world of Senegal politics don get new shake-up. On Sunday, 24 May 2026, Malick Ndiaye, wey be President of National Assembly, announce im resignation for social media. Di decision come after deep reflection and mature for silence, as e talk, but e no give any further detail. Dis one happen less dan 48 hours after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye don sack Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and im entire government.
Malick Ndiaye na loyalist of Ousmane Sonko. For im resignation message, e say di move na personal choice, guided by im understanding of institutions, public responsibility, and di superior interest of di nation. Dis resignation look like a reply from Sonko camp. Emergency meeting of di bureau of di National Assembly bin hold earlier dat afternoon.
Di resignation open door for Ousmane Sonko to possibly take over as President of National Assembly, wey be di second most powerful position for di country. But before dat, Sonko must first regain im seat as deputy, wey e win for 2024 legislative elections. Di National Assembly go decide dat matter on Tuesday, 26 May, when dem go also choose successor for Malick Ndiaye.
Pastef, di ruling party, get 130 deputies out of 165 for di Assembly. If Sonko become speaker, e go get even more power to challenge di executive. Political science professor Moussa Diaw from Gaston-Berger University for Saint-Louis dey warn say dis fit lead to certain institutional crisis, with legislative arm fit block government action. President Faye no fit dissolve di Assembly until November.
Di big question now na whether some Pastef figures go enter di new government wey Faye go appoint. Di president still remain member of Pastef, but e don sack di party leader as PM. Ousmane Sonko go get chance to rally im party for national congress on 6 June.
Di limogeage of Sonko and now resignation of Ndiaye dey accelerate political recomposition for Senegal. Di slogan ‘Diomaye mooy Sonko’ wey carry dem to power for 2024 don become old news. Tensions between di two leaders don dey show for months over governance, economy, and party control. Dis rupture dey create unprecedented uncertainty.
Analysts dey fear say President Faye fit become politically isolated. While e get institutional power, Sonko get di party machinery and majority for Assembly. Local elections dey approach, and dissolution of Assembly fit only happen from November. Di president must now forge im own political identity without im mentor.
For Sonko, dis na chance to reposition as opposition inside power or prepare for 2029 presidential election. But di immediate test go be when Assembly meet to decide im deputy status and choose new speaker. Di whole world dey watch Senegal as dis drama unfold.
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