Founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, Alioune Tine, has weighed in on Senegal’s latest political developments, rejecting the notion of a rift between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, while pointing to a clear lack of alignment.
In Tine’s view, the Pastef leader made a strategic miscalculation by pursuing the presidency of the National Assembly. With his sights set on becoming president of the Republic, Tine argues that Sonko should have stepped back after leaving the prime minister’s office, concentrating on party affairs and letting Senegalese voters carry him to the top job in 2029.
The former National Assembly president, El Malick Ndiaye, was also praised by the civil society figure, who commended the work Ndiaye was doing at the helm of the chamber. Speaking on the programme Tolouway, Alioune Tine said Ndiaye was a perfect fit for the role and met public expectations.
According to Tine, heading the parliamentary institution brings no added value to Sonko, as the deputies are already firmly behind him. Oversight and direction of the Assembly could be managed from a distance, he suggests, allowing El Malick Ndiaye to continue his mission.
