Dakar, July 13, 2026 — Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly and leader of the Pastef movement, has issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo, threatening to topple his government if national resources are not protected in upcoming oil contracts.

Speaking in Touba during the inauguration of Pastef’s new headquarters, Sonko delivered a fiery address in Wolof, accusing the government of betraying the country’s economic sovereignty. He specifically targeted recent deals involving multinational corporations BP and Kosmos, labeling them as detrimental to Senegal’s interests.

“We are witnessing a repeat of the worst practices from the Macky Sall era,” Sonko declared, highlighting what he described as a pattern of resource mismanagement under the guise of improving the business climate.

His remarks followed his own removal from the Prime Minister’s office less than two months ago by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko’s frustration stems from perceived backtracking on key commitments, particularly regarding gas and phosphate management.

Parliament as a shield for hydrocarbons

To counter the government’s policies, Sonko announced plans to introduce a radical bill that would require parliamentary approval for any future oil or gas block allocations. “No block should be granted without first being reviewed by the National Assembly to ensure it aligns with Senegal’s interests,” he stated, citing Norway’s transparency model as an example.

This move aligns with Sonko’s long-standing advocacy for hydrocarbon transparency. While serving as Prime Minister earlier this year, he spearheaded efforts to renegotiate non-compliant oil contracts, including the Yakaar-Teranga block, which he described as a major victory. Now, he warns that recent government appointments—particularly at the helm of Petrosen—threaten to derail these renegotiations.

Sonko’s ultimatum underscores a growing political divide, with his threats of a no-confidence motion signaling a potential escalation in the coming weeks.