A political message from the chamber
Mbaye Dione’s address in the National Assembly went beyond economic matters linked to the IMF, debt, and local government endowment funds. In the final part of his speech, the deputy chose to broaden his remarks to the national political climate and the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition.
Addressing the Speaker of the National Assembly, he asked for a message to be conveyed to Ousmane Sonko. A message he intended to be solemn, in a context marked, according to him, by unusual political tension.
“We are not his enemies”
The striking phrase from his intervention will likely remain: “We are not his enemies. We are his opponents.”
Through this statement, Mbaye Dione aimed to draw 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 thus reminded that the Senegalese opposition claims a republican stance. It intends, in his words, to fully play its role in democratic debate, supporting the government when necessary, but also opposing it when it deems fit.
A reminder of Ousmane Sonko’s past as an opposition figure
Mbaye Dione also evoked Ousmane Sonko’s political past to reinforce his point. He recalled that Sonko himself was a prominent opposition figure and used institutional platforms to express his disagreements.
According to the deputy, Ousmane Sonko must therefore accept, in turn, that political leaders do not share his positions. He believes contradiction is part of the normal functioning of a democracy.
For Mbaye Dione, someone who once opposed must now be able to accept opposition. He thus called for a form of political consistency in dealing with adversaries.
The National Assembly must not become a place for settling scores
In his speech, Mbaye Dione also insisted on 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 clashes between camps.
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 in a vigilant approach.
“We will act as responsible republicans, as 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 the national interest.
A call for political calm
Beyond the interpellation addressed to Ousmane Sonko, Mbaye Dione’s statement sounds like a call for calm in relations between power and 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 attempts to place the political debate back on institutional and republican ground.
Mbaye Dione’s address in the National Assembly went beyond economic matters linked to the IMF, debt, and local government endowment funds. In the final part of his speech, the deputy chose to broaden his remarks to the national political climate and the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition.
Addressing the Speaker of the National Assembly, he asked for a message to be conveyed to Ousmane Sonko. A message he intended to be solemn, in a context marked, according to him, by unusual political tension.
“We are not his enemies”
The striking phrase from his intervention will likely remain: “We are not his enemies. We are his opponents.”
Through this statement, Mbaye Dione aimed to draw 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 thus reminded that the Senegalese opposition claims a republican stance. It intends, in his words, to fully play its role in democratic debate, supporting the government when necessary, but also opposing it when it deems fit.
A reminder of Ousmane Sonko’s past as an opposition figure
Mbaye Dione also evoked Ousmane Sonko’s political past to reinforce his point. He recalled that Sonko himself was a prominent opposition figure and used institutional platforms to express his disagreements.
According to the deputy, Ousmane Sonko must therefore accept, in turn, that political leaders do not share his positions. He believes contradiction is part of the normal functioning of a democracy.
For Mbaye Dione, someone who once opposed must now be able to accept opposition. He thus called for a form of political consistency in dealing with adversaries.
The National Assembly must not become a place for settling scores
In his speech, Mbaye Dione also insisted on 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 clashes between camps.
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 in a vigilant approach.
“We will act as responsible republicans, as 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 the national interest.
A call for political calm
Beyond the interpellation addressed to Ousmane Sonko, Mbaye Dione’s statement sounds like a call for calm in relations between power and 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 attempts to place the political debate back on institutional and republican ground.
