Senegal's sacked PM Sonko elected parliamentary Speaker in challenge to president

As speaker, Sonko could use his position to challenge the policies of the president, his one-time ally. Senegal's sacked PM Sonko elected parliamentary Speaker in challenge to President Faye Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Ousmane Sonko backed Bassirou Diomaye Faye for president in 2024 after he himself was barred from running A head and shoulders shot of Ousmane Sonko wearing glasses and in a black cap and buttoned-up blue shirt. Senegal's sacked PM Sonko elected parliamentary Speaker in challenge to president Senegal's former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was dramatically sacked on Friday by the president, has been elected Speaker of the national parliament setting up a possible source of conflict at the top of Senegalese politics. The West African nation's current crisis follows months of tension between Sonko and his one-time ally President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Parliament's previous Speaker stepped down on Sunday to make way for the former prime minister, who is a popular figure and whose Pastef party has a majority of the seats in the National Assembly. On Monday, Faye appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo to replace Sonko as prime minister. From jail to Africa's youngest elected president Relations between the president and his now-former prime minister had been deteriorating for months, with Sonko openly criticising Faye for his handling of Senegal's debt problems. "What is at stake is the relationship between morality and politics," Sonko has since said, promising not to use his new position to "to fight against anyone" and instead ensure that parliament acts in Senegalese citizens' best interests. Yet Sonko has also said that his dismissal as prime minister does not mean his political career is over. Sonko's new role as Speaker - the second highest political position in the country - could limit President Faye's ability to manoeuvre if he fails to secure parliamentary support for his policies, analysts say. The president cannot dissolve parliament until at least two years after the last election - that means any move to prematurely end the mandates of lawmakers before November this year would be considered invalid. The rift between Faye and Sonko further raises uncertainty over the political future of the debt-challenged country, which is no stranger to leadership tussles. The 51-year-old ex-prime minister commands massive support across the country, especially among young people, and within his party, Pastef. "Pastef remains open to responsible discussion that sets aside egos to complete this term in the best possible conditions," he said. Though he welcomed Lo's appointment as prime minister, Sonko acknowledged they had "certain disagreements" on monetary and debt issues. The size of Senegal's public debt - now standing at 132% of GDP - has been a cause of major friction, with Faye and Lo seen as being more receptive to the belt-tightening polices of the International Monetary Fund. As an opposition MP, Sonko was renowned for fiercely challenging former President Macky Sall's policies - a trait which he also demonstrated against his boss Faye. Sonko would almost certainly have taken the top job had he not been barred from running in 2024's presidential election because of a defamation conviction. Kemi Seba is wearing a grey shirt, facing ahead. He is wearing a beaded wooden necklace and has his left arm raised in the air with his index finger pointing up. In the background is the partial logo of NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency The detained anti-colonial activist grabbing attention in West Africa: Who is Kemi Seba? Sadi Mane in green Senegal jersey seen from chest up lifting the golder Afcon trophy. He is holding it aloft in his right hand while also lifting his left into the air. He has a red medal ribbon around his neck and golden ticker tape is seen falling in the backgroun Senegal to parade Afcon trophy despite title being stripped A close up of a woman holding green beans The two farms in Senegal that supply many of the UK's vegetables A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Some speculate that El Malick Ndiaye stepped down so that ousted-PM Ousmane Sonko can take his place. Bassirou Diomaye Faye also dissolved the government, creating uncertainty amid a debt crisis in the country. Iliman Ndiaye insists Senegal are African champions in "many people's eyes" despite a legal wrangle over the ultimate destination of the 2025 Afcon title. The United Arab Emirates has denied any involvement in the civil war and says it investigates alleged links. The governor of Ituri said the more time they lose, the closer the province is to disaster. Unrest between crowds trying to reclaim the bodies of suspected Ebola cases and authorities have continued. Four people were also injured in the incident inside Murchison Falls National Park, officials say. A man managed to evade security and embrace William Ruto before being wrestled to the ground.