Madiambal Diagne, publisher of the Sud Quotidien newspaper and an ally of former President Macky Sall, has publicly claimed that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is preparing to impeach President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Diagne made the accusation on his social media page, writing, "Ousmane Sonko is preparing a coup d’état." He further elaborated on the alleged plot, stating, "Once installed as President of the National Assembly on 26th May, 2026, he will immediately have the impeachment of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for high treason passed. Then, he will proclaim himself Interim President of the Republic. Let no one be unaware of this!" These serious allegations suggest a calculated and deliberate plan to seize power.
Diagne's Specific Allegations
Madiambal Diagne, publisher of Sud Quotidien, predicted that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko would seek to overthrow the head of state immediately after being elected Speaker of the National Assembly. Diagne claimed that once Sonko is installed as President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026, he would ensure the impeachment of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for high treason. Diagne further alleged that Sonko would then proclaim himself Interim President of the Republic. The publisher detailed his allegations on his social media page, stating, "Once installed as President of the National Assembly on 26th May, 2026, he will immediately have the impeachment of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for high treason passed. Then, he will proclaim himself Interim President of the Republic. Let no one be unaware of this!" Diagne's claims outline a specific timeline and sequence of events leading to the alleged power seizure. He emphasized that Sonko's election as Speaker would be the immediate precursor to this purported overthrow of the head of state. The accusations lay out a precise roadmap for the alleged political maneuvering, involving a constitutional process – impeachment for high treason – followed by an unconstitutional assumption of power.
Context of the Claim
Madiambal Diagne, publisher of Sud Quotidien, is currently in self-imposed exile in France. His public claims regarding Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's alleged plot against President Bassirou Diomaye Faye were made while he was abroad. Diagne, known as an ally of former President Macky Sall, has used social media to disseminate his accusations, detailing a specific timeline for the purported coup. The publisher's assertions suggest a calculated sequence of events, starting with Sonko's potential election as President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026. From his location in France, Diagne has maintained his stance on the matter, emphasizing the gravity of his allegations concerning the Senegalese leadership transition. Diagne's self-imposed exile provides a distinct backdrop to these claims, as he continues to comment on Senegalese politics from outside the country. His status as a close ally of former President Macky Sall also adds a layer of political context to his pronouncements, suggesting a potential partisan dimension to the accusations.
Timeline and Political Maneuvering
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is anticipated to be elected Speaker of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026. This potential appointment gained further momentum following the resignation of El Malick Ndiaye from the position of Speaker of the institution. The projected timeline suggests a significant shift in legislative leadership, which is central to the claims made by Madiambal Diagne. Sonko's expected ascension to the Speaker role on that specific date forms a key part of the alleged plot outlined by the Sud Quotidien publisher. The resignation of El Malick Ndiaye has cleared the path for Sonko's potential election, making the May 26, 2026, date a key element in Diagne's narrative of an impending power grab. Diagne explicitly links Sonko's expected role as Speaker of the National Assembly to the subsequent steps of the alleged coup d'état, showing the critical importance of this particular date and legislative transition.
