El Malick Ndiaye has resigned while retaining his parliamentary seat amid the country’s government reshuffle
Speaker of Senegal’s parliament, El Malick Ndiaye, has announced his resignation days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed the government in a sweeping political shake-up.
In a Facebook statement published on Sunday, Ndiaye said the decision followed “deep reflection” and was guided by his understanding of “state responsibility” and “the supreme interests of the nation.”
Ndiaye, a member of the ruling PASTEF party, said he had focused on strengthening parliament, improving transparency, and modernizing the institution during his time in office. He thanked lawmakers from both the majority and the opposition, as well as party supporters, for their trust and cooperation.
The outgoing parliamentary speaker added that he would continue serving Senegal “with the same commitment” outside the post.
According to Senegalese state broadcaster RTS, Ndiaye will retain his seat in the National Assembly after stepping down as speaker. He became president of the assembly on December 2, 2024, when Senegal’s 15th legislature was installed.
The Senegalese president signed a decree on Friday formally ending Ousmane Sonko’s tenure as prime minister, a post he had held since April 2024 after Faye’s election victory. The decree also terminated the duties of all ministers and state secretaries, while instructing the outgoing cabinet to oversee day-to-day affairs until a new government is formed. The reasons behind the resignations and dismissals have not been specified.
RTS also reported that parliament’s governing bureau approved Sonko’s request to regain his parliamentary mandate after leaving the premiership. The National Assembly set Tuesday, May 26, as the date for the vote to elect a new speaker.
Sonko had suspended his parliamentary role after becoming prime minister in line with Senegalese law. He was originally expected to run in the 2024 presidential election as the opposition candidate, but was barred from the race following a defamation conviction.
