Opposition is not enmity: Mbaye Dione’s message to Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko

Mbaye Dione’s address in the National Assembly went beyond economic discussions about the IMF and debt. In the final part of his speech, the deputy broadened his focus to the national political climate and the relationship between the government and the opposition.

Addressing the Assembly’s president, he requested that a message be delivered to Ousmane Sonko. He intended it to be solemn, given what he described as an unusual political tension.

We Are Not His Enemies

The most striking line of his intervention was: “We are not his enemies. We are his opponents.” With this statement, Mbaye Dione sought to draw a clear distinction between political opposition and personal hostility. For him, opposing a government or a policy does not mean being against the country, nor being an enemy of those in power.

The deputy stressed that Senegal’s opposition upholds a republican stance. He said it intends to fully play its role in democratic debate, supporting the government when necessary and opposing when it sees fit.

A Reminder of Ousmane Sonko’s Past as an Opponent

Mbaye Dione also referenced Ousmane Sonko’s own political history to support his point. He recalled that Sonko himself was a prominent opposition figure who used institutional platforms to voice disagreements. According to the deputy, Sonko must now accept that other politicians do not share his views. Contradiction is part of a normal democracy, he argued.

For Mbaye Dione, those who once opposed should be able to accept opposition today. He called for political consistency in how adversaries are treated.

The National Assembly Must Not Become a Venue for Settling Scores

Mbaye Dione also emphasized the role of the National Assembly in the country’s institutional balance. He reminded that this institution occupies a high rank in the Republic and must remain a space for debate, oversight, and accountability. He warned against any attempt to turn the chamber into a place for personal confrontation or political score-settling. In his view, the Assembly must serve the country, not become a stage for partisan clashes.

This warning reflects a broader concern: preserving the dignity of Parliament and the quality of democratic debate.

An Opposition that Claims Responsibility

Mbaye Dione portrayed the opposition as a responsible force committed to republican principles. He indicated that opposition deputies are not engaged in systematic obstruction but rather in a posture of vigilance. “We will act as responsible republicans, courageous opponents,” he essentially declared.

Through these words, the deputy defended an opposition capable of supporting good decisions while firmly contesting those it deems contrary to national interest.

A Call for Political Calm

Beyond the direct appeal to Ousmane Sonko, Mbaye Dione’s remarks serve as a call for calm in relations between the government and the opposition. The parliamentarian invites the new authorities to recognize the legitimacy of political contradiction. His message rests on a simple idea: in a democracy, governing does not mean silencing the opposition, and opposing does not mean working against the country.

By reminding that opponents are not enemies, Mbaye Dione seeks to reposition political debate on institutional and republican ground.