Alioune Tine criticises Sonko’s move to lead parliament

Présidence de l’AN : Alioune Tine estime qu'Ousmane Sonko aurait dû laisser El Malick Ndiaye poursuivre son travail

Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, offered his analysis of Senegal’s current political situation. He dismissed the notion of a rift between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, but pointed to a lack of understanding between them.

According to Tine, the Pastef leader made a strategic error by choosing to head the National Assembly. With presidential ambitions, Sonko should have stepped back after leaving the prime minister post, focused on managing his party, and let Senegalese voters carry him to the presidency in 2029.

The civil society figure also highlighted former National Assembly president El Malick Ndiaye, praising his work at the helm of the parliament. Speaking on the Tolouway programme, Tine said Ndiaye perfectly embodied the role and met public expectations.

Tine argued that taking the top parliamentary post brings no added value to Sonko, since the deputies are already aligned with him. Oversight and direction of the Assembly could have been handled remotely, allowing Ndiaye to continue his mission.