Sonko Re-Elected Head of Party

Ousted Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko won unanimous re-election on Saturday as the head of Senegal’s ruling party, solidifying his political standing amidst a deepening national crisis.

Sonko, a powerful mentor-turned-rival to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, easily secured the leadership vote from 583 party delegates at a congress of their Pan-African Pastef party in Diamniadio, outside the capital city of Dakar.

Faye originally won the presidency after authorities barred the widely popular Sonko from standing in Senegal’s 2024 election. Sonko then anointed Faye to run in his place and subsequently served as his prime minister.

However, months of mounting tension between the two leaders culminated on May 22, when Faye sacked Sonko from the premiership.

Just four days later, Sonko promptly responded to his dismissal by winning the election to his current post as speaker of the National Assembly.

This ongoing rift has triggered severe political upheaval for the West African country and brought intense uncertainty to Pastef, which remains the largest party in parliament.

In an effort to calm the mounting political friction, President Faye delivered a speech on Thursday, urging against further dividing the nation, stating that no quarrel, however bitter, is worth tearing apart their shared country.