The removal of Ousmane Sonko from the Prime Minister’s office and the reshuffling of the executive branch have ushered in a new political chapter for Senegal.

For the first time since its rise to power in 2024, the Pastef-Les Patriotes party is grappling with an internal crisis. Departures of key officials, strategic rifts between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and party leader Ousmane Sonko, and the impending launch of a new political party led by the President have exposed deep divisions within the movement. What initially appears as a sign of weakness may, upon closer examination, reveal a more complex political dynamic.

The erosion of elite loyalty

Several high-ranking figures—ministers, directors-general, deputies, and members of the party’s national political bureau—have chosen to align with President Faye rather than adhere to Sonko’s leadership. This schism highlights the classic tension between rational-legal legitimacy, rooted in institutional authority, and charismatic legitimacy, built on the personal appeal of a leader.

Since assuming office, President Faye derives his legitimacy from the Constitution and the presidency. In contrast, Sonko’s influence stems from a decade-long emotional connection with grassroots supporters. Dissidents argue that Faye now embodies the core values of the