The Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal, El Malick Ndiaye, has been elected First Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).
The election took place at the conclusion of the 17th Conference of Presidents of Assemblies and Sections for the Africa Region, held from April 7 to 9, 2026, in Lomé.
The motion, adopted unanimously by the presiding officers of the various parliaments, marks a significant diplomatic return for Senegal. It has been over forty years since a Senegalese official—Daouda Sow—last held the position, signaling Senegal’s regained influence within the executive bureau of the Francophone parliamentary body.
While the vote in Lomé solidified his position, Mr. Ndiaye’s appointment will be officially ratified during the upcoming General Assembly scheduled for July 2026.
This strategic appointment places Senegal on a clear trajectory toward the organisation’s top seat. Following a projected mandate by Quebec, Mr. Ndiaye is positioned to potentially assume the APF Presidency in July 2028 during the summit in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The APF serves as an inter-parliamentary organisation composed of sections from across the French-speaking world. Its primary mission focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law and fostering technical and political cooperation between member parliaments.
In a further sign of the country’s growing role in the organisation, Dakar is set to host the 32nd Africa Regional Assembly from May 18 to 19, 2026.
TE/lb/as/APA