Senegal National Assembly Speaker El Malick Ndiaye Resigns Amid Political Tensions

El Malick Ndiaye has resigned as President of Senegal’s National Assembly, deepening the political uncertainty that has followed the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye earlier this week.

In a statement released on Facebook on Sunday, Ndiaye said his decision came after “careful reflection” driven by “responsibility and a sense of duty to the state.” He described the move as a personal decision guided by his vision of institutional integrity and the national interest.

Ndiaye, a former transport minister and senior figure within the ruling PASTEF party, was elected head of the 15th legislature on December 2, 2024, securing 134 votes out of 163 cast. His departure comes at a time of major political realignment in Senegal.

The resignation follows President Faye’s decision, announced 48 hours earlier, to remove Sonko from the post of prime minister. The move has fueled speculation that Sonko could return to the National Assembly, where his parliamentary seat had been suspended upon entering government.

Although Ndiaye did not directly address the recent political developments in his statement, he expressed gratitude to PASTEF supporters, party officials, and lawmakers from both the ruling coalition and the opposition. He also affirmed his commitment to continue serving the country, without revealing his next political step.

At 41, Ndiaye became the youngest president in the history of Senegal’s National Assembly at the time of his election, according to parliamentary sources.