Ousmane Sonko addresses the nation after new government formation
via SeneNews1 min read
Ousmane Sonko, leader of Pastef and current President of the National Assembly, is making a live statement following the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Aliou Aminou Lo. Sonko had previously indicated that no members of his party would join the new government. This address marks a significant moment in Senegalese politics.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadThe departmental coordination of PASTEF in Keur Massar has announced conservative measures against militants who disagree with the party's decision not to join the new government. This decision follows a communiqué issued by the party's Executive Committee on June 1, 2026, stating that PASTEF would not participate in the government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. The Keur Massar coordination's statement, released on June 2, 2026, indicates that any militant not aligned with this position will be temporarily excluded from all PASTEF bodies within the Keur Massar department until further notice. This measure is provisional, pending a definitive decision from the party's hierarchy or PASTEF President Ousmane Sonko. The Keur Massar coordination also reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ousmane Sonko and its alignment with the party's leadership.
Ousmane Sonko, the new President of the National Assembly, will address Senegalese citizens this Tuesday, June 2, 2026, starting at 5 PM, in a highly anticipated press statement. Sonko announced the event himself via social media, inviting citizens to follow his address, which will take place at the Serigne Abass Sall residence, opposite the Police School. This declaration comes shortly after the installation of the new government by the Head of State Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko, former Prime Minister, recently left the Prime Minister's office, replaced by Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, before being appointed head of the National Assembly. The announcement follows a significant cabinet reshuffle by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who formed a new government of 30 ministers on Monday. Several figures who held strategic positions under Sonko's previous government were not reappointed, while new profiles joined the executive. Many expect Sonko to discuss the governmental changes, new policy directions, or his role as head of the parliamentary institution. While no official topics have been announced, this statement is seen as a major political event that could clarify Sonko's vision after his departure from the Prime Minister's office and his ascension to the presidency of the National Assembly, amidst a reshuffling of responsibilities within the government. All eyes will be on this address, which may answer questions arising from the recent government reshuffle and Senegal's new insti
Must ReadThe debate surrounding Ousmane Sonko's potential return to the National Assembly requires a rigorous legal interpretation, focusing on the hierarchy of norms, the precise qualification of facts, and the articulation of applicable texts. The core issue is not merely whether he submitted a resignation letter or a suspension request, but whether the act of December 2, 2024, could legally constitute a resignation or if it was an unfounded suspension incapable of validly terminating his parliamentary mandate. Article 54 of the Constitution establishes the incompatibility between government and parliamentary functions but does not specify the resolution process. Article 123 of the Internal Regulations of the National Assembly RIAN addresses deputies appointed to government, while Article 132 concerns deputies already in an incompatible situation at the time of election, requiring them to resign incompatible functions within eight days or be deemed to have resigned. A crucial point is whether Sonko was ever formally installed as a deputy, as this would determine if the eight-day period in Article 132 ever began. If not, the December 2, 2024, act might not be a legally triggered resignation. The article argues that the December 2, 2024, act was a request for suspension, not a resignation, and the former RIAN did not recognize parliamentary mandate suspension as an autonomous act. A resignation requires clear, unequivocal, and irrevocable intent, which a suspension request does not co
Must ReadThe religious city of Darou Khairy, located in the Bignona department, is experiencing a period of profound grief following the consecutive deaths of its General Caliph, Chérif Mamina Aïdara, and his designated successor, Chérif Cheikh Sidy Bouya Aïdara. Chérif Mamina Aïdara passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Hôpital de la Paix in Ziguinchor and was buried in Darou Khairy. The community was then struck by a second loss on Monday, June 1, 2026, when his younger brother and designated successor, Chérif Cheikh Sidy Bouya Aïdara, also died. This rapid succession of deaths has led to Chérif Assane Aïdara being appointed as the new Caliph to ensure the continuity of the spiritual tradition. The community is now preparing for the "Fiddaou" ceremony scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2026, which is expected to draw delegations from Senegal and several sub-regional countries including Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Morocco, as well as various communities from southern Senegal.