El Malick Ndiaye announced his resignation on Sunday, intensifying the political uncertainty gripping Senegal just days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Ndiaye described his decision as the result of “deep reflection” guided by “responsibility” and “the higher interest of the nation.” The 41-year-old PASTEF figure, who became the youngest speaker in the history of Senegal’s National Assembly after his election in December 2024, stepped down amid growing speculation over a major political realignment within the ruling camp.
His resignation comes as tensions continue to rise following Sonko’s removal from office, a move that has fueled rumors of the former prime minister’s possible return to parliament, where his deputy mandate had previously been suspended.
Although Ndiaye avoided directly addressing the political crisis, he paid tribute to members of the ruling PASTEF party as well as opposition lawmakers, while pledging to continue serving the country in another capacity.
The back-to-back developments have triggered fresh questions about the stability of Senegal’s leadership and the future direction of the country’s political transition.
