As part of its comprehensive 2025 year-end review, the Seneweb editorial team is taking a close look at the national public scene. In this latest installment, we present our political ranking: an overview of the figures who shone through their influence and those who marked the year through their withdrawal or difficulties.

The tops

El Malick Ndiaye, the master of balance

The Speaker of the National Assembly, El Malick Ndiaye, distinguished himself particularly in 2025. Beyond leading the second parliamentary year, he played a key role in easing social tensions. He notably contributed to resolving strikes in local communities and acted as a mediator in the university crisis by meeting with student association leaders. Even more significantly, the native of Linguère facilitated a reconciliation between his "brothers," Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko.

El Malick Ndiaye also achieved major innovations within the Parliament, notably the effective implementation of the electronic voting system and the launch of the parliamentary television channel.

Abass Fall: a revenge on "Barth'"

Among the prominent political figures of 2025, Abass Fall undoubtedly stands out. Elected mayor of Dakar and installed in August, replacing Barthélémy Dias, the Pastef party's departmental coordinator in Dakar experienced a meteoric rise. Heading the victorious Pastef list in the November 17, 2024, legislative elections in the Dakar department, he will, however, not complete the 15th legislature. He has, in fact, been appointed Minister of Labor, Employment, and Relations with Institutions, succeeding Yankhoba Diémé.

The latter was transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport, a position vacated by El Malick Ndiaye after his election as President of the National Assembly on December 2nd. For Abass Fall, this marks the second act of a political trajectory relaunched after his removal in 2023 from the position of First Deputy Mayor of Dakar following a power struggle with Barthélémy Dias.

Déthié Fall, the "rocket"!

Among them is Déthié Fall, leader of the Republican Party for Progress (PRP). After being sidelined for a long time, this graduate of the École Polytechnique, known to be very close to Ousmane Sonko, finally joined the government during the latest cabinet reshuffle. A minister "of both worlds," much like Karim Wade during his father's presidency.

Since taking the helm of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the former Rewmi party official has introduced bold innovations. In addition to his 6 a.m. visits to the various departments under his supervision, Déthié Fall made headlines by dismissing the Ageroute site manager responsible for overseeing the Birkilane–Mabo road project (scheduled for completion this Sunday, December 7, 2025) and demanding his immediate replacement. The surprise dismissal of the Ageroute director general a few days later also appears to be connected to this affair.

This rigor earned him applause from the members of parliament during the vote on his department's budget, set at over 700 billion CFA francs: "I don't need anyone's money, and I won't accept anyone questioning my word or delaying my work. I'm paid, and that's enough for me. I demand absolute rigor: the work will be done, and done well, on time, or we will take responsibility," he declared. He added humorously, addressing his colleague at the Ministry of Finance: "He [Cheikh Diba] calls me 'the rocket' because he says I'm fast, but he is too."

TAS and ATS: strong voices in the Chamber

Within the opposition, Thierno Alassane Sall (TAS) and Aïssata Tall Sall (ATS) distinguished themselves through their activism. The leader of the Republic of Values party repeatedly criticized the management of the Aser-Aee Power EPC rural electrification project. In early October, he embarked on a tour of the Kébémer and Louga departments, the directly affected areas, and filed a lawsuit that is still pending. Thanks to his persistent denunciations, he has managed to remain prominent in the media.

As for Aïssata Tall Sall, she can also be classified among the year's most prominent figures. President of the "Takku Wallu Sénégal" parliamentary group in the National Assembly — a position she holds as an opposition MP after being reappointed by former President Macky Sall — her interventions in the Assembly are considered particularly relevant.

The lawyer has also been, since October 2025, First Vice-President of the IMF-World Bank Parliamentary Network. In this international role, she works alongside President Sven to influence global financial policies in favor of employment and growth.

The Flops

“ Diomaye moy Sonko”: a cloning that’s not so perfect!

This is undoubtedly the most significant political event of 2025. The friction between the Diomaye-Sonko duo at the head of state has kept the country on tenterhooks. In Senegal, across Africa, and far beyond, the resounding disagreements between Prime Minister (and Pastef party leader) Ousmane Sonko and his protégé, now head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, have been fodder for the international press, which is still questioning the true reasons for this falling out.

Many are convinced that the squabbles surrounding the restructuring of the "Diomaye President" coalition are merely the tip of the iceberg. The differences of opinion between the two key figures in the "Project" had already generated a latent tension, finally brought to light by Ousmane Sonko during a public statement on July 10th where he expressed his discontent. Ultimately, the slogan "Diomaye is Sonko" has given way to a strained cohabitation, in a difficult economic climate.

Idrissa Seck: The heavy silence of the uncrowned prince

Between Idrissa Seck and the government, it's a game of cat and mouse. The former Prime Minister, who has coveted the presidential seat since 2007, seems to have resigned himself to defeat after a string of setbacks (2007, 2012, 2019, 2024). After suffering yet another defeat in the March 2024 presidential election (0.90% of the vote), the "Prince of Cayor" has completely disappeared from public view. No public appearances in 2025!

At the same time, his party, Rewmi, is losing its key members. Even the most loyal, like the former press officer Pape Abdou Mané, have ended up abandoning ship as it sinks.

Amadou Ba: an opposition leader who doesn't take responsibility

Having come second in the March 2024 presidential election, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba has left the position of opposition leader vacant through his inaction. Those who thought the unassuming technocrat had taken a step forward by launching his party, "New Responsibility," were quickly disillusioned. The head of the "Jàmm ak Njariñ" coalition list, which holds seven seats in the National Assembly, observes the political debate from a distance. He thus leaves the field open to Thierno Alassane Sall, Thierno Bocoum, and a multitude of commentators. Many criticize him for an ambiguous stance towards his former colleagues in the Ministry of Taxes and State Property, suggesting that professional interests are hindering his commitment.

Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye (PS): an "unlimited" interim

The Socialist Party (PS) is declining, mirroring the political "dinosaurs" who still embody its leadership. It was hoped that the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye (45 years old), the youngest president in Senegal's history, would breathe new life into the traditional parties. While other groups, such as Moustapha Niasse's Alliance of Progressive Forces (AFP), have adapted to the election of Mbaye Dione, the PS has missed the opportunity.

Appointed interim secretary general following the death of Ousmane Tanor Dieng in July 2019, Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye (75 years old) seems determined to remain in her position indefinitely. This situation has prompted many young party officials to resign. Others, united around the "Initiative for the Refounding of the Socialist Party," attempted a legal challenge to contest the leadership's legitimacy, but their appeal was rejected. The former president of the High Council of Territorial Authorities (HCCT) thus continues her "unlimited interim" role.