Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved Senegal’s government following months of growing political tensions between the two leaders.
The dramatic announcement was made through a presidential decree read on national television, stating that President Faye had “ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko” along with those of ministers and state secretaries serving in the government.
The move marks a major political rupture within Senegal’s ruling leadership, less than two years after the pair secured a historic election victory that reshaped the country’s political landscape.
Sonko, one of Senegal’s most influential opposition figures and a popular voice among the youth, reacted shortly after the announcement, saying on social media that he would “sleep with a light heart.”
The dismissal followed a tense parliamentary session on Tuesday during which Sonko openly criticized President Faye, exposing divisions that had reportedly been building within the ruling Pastef movement for months.
Political tensions between the two leaders had increasingly become public in recent months, with reports suggesting that President Faye had grown uncomfortable with what he viewed as Sonko’s dominant political influence and “excessive personalisation” within the ruling party.
At the same time, Sonko had accused the president of showing weak leadership and failing to defend him against political attacks and criticism.
The fallout is particularly significant because Faye’s rise to the presidency was closely tied to Sonko’s popularity and political backing.
Sonko had originally been widely expected to contest and potentially win Senegal’s 2024 presidential election. However, a defamation conviction barred him from running, leading him to endorse Faye as the Pastef candidate.
The alliance proved successful, with Faye winning the presidency in what many observers described as an extraordinary political comeback. Both Faye and Sonko had been released from prison only days before the election after months of political unrest and legal battles that had drawn international attention.
Following news of Sonko’s dismissal, several hundred students reportedly gathered in the streets of Dakar overnight to demonstrate in support of the former prime minister, highlighting his continued influence among young Senegalese voters.
The political crisis comes at a difficult economic moment for Senegal. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s public debt has reached approximately 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), increasing pressure on the government to stabilize the economy and maintain investor confidence.
Analysts say the split between Faye and Sonko could significantly reshape Senegal’s political future, especially within the ruling coalition that had largely depended on their partnership and shared anti-establishment message.
The dissolution of government is expected to trigger a cabinet reshuffle and potentially deepen uncertainty within Senegal’s political environment as the country navigates mounting economic and governance challenges.