A major figure in the Senegalese opposition against former president Macky Sall, his arrest and subsequent investigation by authorities in 2019 following sexual assault accusations triggered mass protests and rioting across Senegal.

[1] Sonko received his baccalaureate in the year 1993, and graduated with a master's degree in Juridical Science from Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis in 1999.

[13] His coalition also managed to gain control of local councils from United in Hope, notably in Dakar, in addition to 56 of the 165 parliamentary seats in the National Assembly.

The Economic Community of West African States similarly called for restraint and calm, as well as for the government to guarantee citizens the right to protest.

[21] Sonko was released under investigation; in May 2021, a judge denied to authorise him leaving the country due to his indictment for rape.

[22] On 8 May 2023, following an appeal, Sonko received a six-month suspended prison sentence for defamation and insults against Mame Mbaye Niang.

[25] His conviction made Sonko ineligible to stand as a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, which prompted protests to occur throughout Senegal.

[36] During his premiership, Sonko has criticised the French military presence in Senegal, as well as Western efforts to promote values deemed incompatible with Senegalese and African mores, including LGBT rights and monogamy.

He has also called for a reform of ECOWAS for allowing divisions within the bloc to develop, which had led to the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States.