Dakar, July 13, 2026 — Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly and leader of the Pastef movement, has issued a stark warning to the government of Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo, threatening to topple the administration if national interests in upcoming oil contracts are compromised.
Speaking in a fiery address during the inauguration of Pastef’s headquarters in Touba on Sunday, Sonko accused the government of undermining Senegal’s economic sovereignty by allegedly favoring multinational corporations in the exploitation of the country’s natural gas and phosphate resources. He singled out partnerships with companies such as BP and Kosmos as particularly concerning, comparing the current approach to the controversial policies of former President Macky Sall’s era.
« We know full well the role he has played in this political situation, » Sonko remarked in early June regarding Al Aminou Lo. On Sunday, he escalated his rhetoric, declaring under thunderous applause: « If they proceed this way and fail to uphold the nation’s interests, we will bring down the government. And we will do so as many times as necessary. »
Parliament as a shield for Senegal’s hydrocarbons
To counter what he describes as a dangerous trend, Sonko announced plans to introduce a sweeping legislative proposal. The bill, spearheaded by a deputy from his party, would require parliamentary approval for any new oil or gas block allocations. « No oil block should be granted without first being presented to the National Assembly for scrutiny, » he stated, citing Norway’s transparent model as an example to follow.
This move aligns with Sonko’s long-standing crusade against opaque hydrocarbon deals. As Prime Minister earlier this year, he spearheaded efforts to renegotiate non-compliant contracts, notably securing major victories with blocks such as Yakaar-Teranga. Now, he accuses the current administration and recent appointments—particularly at the helm of Petrosen—of attempting to halt these progressions.
The escalating tensions underscore a broader struggle over resource governance in Senegal, with Sonko positioning himself as a vocal advocate for national sovereignty in the face of external pressures.
