This article deals, at first, with the power of speech in the Senegalese political arena. Speech is a means of existence and sustenance in this field, where power is constantly coveted by actors with contradictory oratory styles. Over the past decade, Senegal has seen the emergence of a new generation of young politicians whose rhetoric sets them apart from "professional politicians". Ousmane Sonko is the most obvious example. In record time, this former enarque and senior civil servant has gone from being an anonymous figure to the country's most popular politician, particularly among young people. This political player has taken advantage of a combination of circumstances that began with his dismissal from the civil service. So it’s natural to ask: to what does he owe his popularity? This question forms the basis of the reflection developed in this contribution.