Outside Ousmane Sonko’s residence in Keur Gorgui, a young activist from the Pastef-Les Patriotes party shouted his name, rallying supporters who had campaigned tirelessly for the political partnership between Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Nourdine Diallo, a longtime campaign volunteer, expressed deep disappointment over the abrupt termination of Sonko’s premiership. “The decision to remove the Prime Minister hurt us deeply. We campaigned under the slogan ‘Diomaye is Sonko, Sonko is Diomaye’ – those weren’t just words. We truly believed in their bond, their shared vision for the country.”

Institutional standoff intensifies

The dismissal came shortly after Sonko’s critical questioning of government policies during a parliamentary session. This power struggle has now escalated into a full-blown institutional crisis.

Today’s National Assembly meeting will decide whether to reinstate Sonko as a deputy. He had suspended his parliamentary mandate to serve as Prime Minister. The session will also elect a new Assembly president following the resignation of El Hadj Malick Ndiaye, a close ally of Sonko who stepped down Sunday in protest.

Political analyst Malao Kanté warns this could lead to further instability. “Sonko represents a new opposition face, but with a parliamentary majority, the risks are significant. A vote of no confidence against the next Prime Minister seems likely, creating a potentially paralyzing deadlock.”

Legal challenges mount against Sonko’s return

Pastef-Les Patriotes party official Adama Fall appealed for national unity. “We’ve seen similar power struggles before – between Compaoré and Sankara, Lumumba and his opponents. But this generation won’t repeat past mistakes. We’ll write a better history.”

Several party officials resigned in solidarity with Sonko, including cabinet members. The opposition group Takuu Walu held an emergency press conference Monday, declaring Ndiaye’s resignation invalid. “He violated parliamentary procedures,” stated opposition leader Aïssata Tall Sall, who called on President Faye to challenge Sonko’s reinstatement before the Constitutional Council, warning of an “unconstitutional coup.”

In a late-night move, the President appointed banking executive Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô as the new Prime Minister. The former central bank official and minister stated the country stands at a critical juncture requiring national mobilization.