Alioune Tine, the founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank, recently shared his perspective on Senegal’s political landscape. He dismissed any notion of a rift between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, while highlighting a clear lack of harmony between them.
In Tine’s view, the Pastef leader made a strategic misstep by pursuing the presidency of the National Assembly. Given Sonko’s ambition to become president of the republic, Tine believes he should have stepped back after leaving the prime minister post, focusing on party management and letting Senegalese citizens naturally propel him to the country’s highest office in 2029.
The civil society figure also praised former National Assembly president El Malick Ndiaye, commending the work he was doing leading the parliamentary chamber. Speaking on the programme Tolouway, Tine noted that Ndiaye perfectly embodied the role and met public expectations.
According to Tine, the leadership of the parliamentary institution brings no added value for Ousmane Sonko, given that the deputies are already loyal to him. The oversight and direction of the Assembly could have been handled remotely, allowing El Malick Ndiaye to continue his mission.
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