A political message from the floor
Mbaye Dione’s address at the National Assembly went beyond economic topics such as the IMF, debt, and local government funding. 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 speaker of the house, Dione asked that a message be conveyed to Ousmane Sonko. He intended it as a solemn statement, given what he described as unusual political tension.
‘We are not his enemies’
The most striking line of his speech was undoubtedly: ‘We are not his enemies. We are his opponents.’
With this statement, Dione drew a clear line between political opposition and personal hostility. For him, opposing a government, a majority, or a political direction does not mean being against the country, let alone being an enemy of those in power.
The deputy reminded that the Senegalese opposition claims a republican stance. In his words, it intends to fully play its role in the democratic debate, supporting the government when necessary but also opposing when it deems appropriate.
A reminder of Ousmane Sonko’s opposition past
Mbaye Dione also invoked Ousmane Sonko’s own political past to support his point. He recalled that Sonko himself was a leading opposition figure who used institutional platforms to voice his disagreements.
According to the deputy, Sonko must now accept that other political leaders do not share his views. He believes that disagreement is part of the normal functioning of a democracy.
For Dione, one who opposed yesterday must be able to accept opposition today. He thus called for political consistency in how opponents are treated.
The National Assembly must not become a place for settling scores
In his speech, Dione also stressed the role of the National Assembly in the country’s institutional balance. He reminded that this institution holds an important rank in the Republic and must remain a space for debate, oversight, and accountability.
The deputy warned against any attempt to turn the chamber into a venue for personal confrontation or political score-settling. In his view, the National Assembly must serve the country, not become a stage for factional clashes.
This warning reflects a broader concern: preserving the dignity of Parliament and the quality of democratic debate.
An opposition that claims its responsibility
Mbaye Dione was keen to present the opposition as a responsible force committed to republican principles. He indicated that opposition deputies are not in a logic of systematic obstruction, but rather in a stance of vigilance.
‘We will act as responsible republicans, courageous opponents,’ he said in essence.
Through these words, the deputy aims to defend an opposition capable of supporting good decisions while firmly contesting those it deems contrary to national interest.
A call for political appeasement
Beyond the challenge to Ousmane Sonko, Dione’s statement sounds like a call for calm in relations between the government and the opposition. The lawmaker 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 attempts to bring the political debate back to institutional and republican ground.
