Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has confirmed he will remain in his role as head of government, following his party’s overwhelming victory in the November 17 snap parliamentary elections. Sonko, who has led the government since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election in March, dismissed speculation that he should step down to preside over the national assembly after his ruling Pastef party secured 130 out of 165 seats in the legislature.

Sonko’s announcement came on Monday at the national assembly, where he expressed his commitment to continue his work at the prime minister’s office. “I’m staying on at the prime minister’s office. I had come to submit my letter of resignation as an MP,” he stated. “The president needs me by his side. We are continuing this work.”

His party’s historic victory in the legislative elections, one of the largest majorities ever won by a single party in Senegal, had sparked debates over the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Some critics argued that Sonko should lead the national assembly to ensure institutional equilibrium and prevent potential conflicts within the executive branch, where President Faye’s position is closely tied to Sonko’s support.

Instead, Malick Ndiaye, a close ally of Sonko and the current Minister of Transport, was elected as the new national assembly president. This strategic decision positions the Senegalese leadership to push forward with an ambitious reform agenda, aimed at addressing the nation’s economic challenges, including high inflation and widespread unemployment.

With Sonko’s continued leadership as prime minister, Senegal’s government appears poised to tackle these pressing issues with a unified front, leveraging their substantial legislative majority.