Senegal’s political debate heats up as lawmaker criticizes Ousmane Sonko’s judicial approach

In a sharp intervention during a parliamentary session, former legislator Maïmouna Sène, a key figure in the Alliance Pour la République (APR), launched a scathing critique against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. She accused him of deploying what she termed “judicial populism” to distract from the nation’s pressing economic challenges.

Maïmouna Sène emphasized that accountability is a legitimate institutional duty, but warned against its misuse as a political tool to deflect attention from the Senegalese government‘s failures in economic recovery, job creation, and inflation control. Addressing the Prime Minister directly, she stressed that the priorities of the Senegalese people lie in tangible progress—not in what she described as a witch hunt against political opponents.

Her remarks underscored a growing rift between the ruling party and the opposition, with Maïmouna Sène urging Ousmane Sonko to focus on delivering results rather than pursuing legal actions against rivals. In a pointed statement, she declared, “If you have evidence, take it to the courts and let justice run its course. The Senegalese people did not entrust you with the state to dwell on the past or settle scores—they expect you to curb inflation, create jobs, and revive the economy. Charity begins at home: start by reviewing your own ranks before pointing fingers.”

The former legislator’s outspoken comments reflect deepening tensions within Senegal‘s political landscape, where economic hardship and governance concerns continue to dominate public discourse.