(FILES) Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (L), Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye attend a ceremony after receiving the official report on the Thiaroye massacre, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, on October 16, 2025. Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government after months of tensions, deepening a crisis in the debt-laden west African nation. The shock announcement was made on state television in a decree read out by presidential aide Oumar Samba Ba, who said Faye "has ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko... and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government". (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT / AFP)
The Senegalese presidency in turmoil: President Faye ends partnership with former PM Sonko
The political alliance that propelled Bassirou Diomaye Faye to the presidency of Senegal has collapsed. On May 22, the head of state dismissed his former ally and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, ending months of escalating tensions between the two leaders who rose to power together in April 2024.
From revolutionary allies to political adversaries
The relationship between Faye and Sonko dates back twelve years, forged within the Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (PASTEF). Their union became a defining force in Senegalese politics, culminating in their historic electoral victory that ousted the outgoing administration.
During the campaign, Sonko was barred from running due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. In response, he strategically positioned Faye as his surrogate while positioning himself as the power behind the throne through the prime minister’s office.
A partnership undermined by power struggles
What began as a unified front against the previous regime has unraveled into a bitter political feud. After two years in office, the once-unbreakable bond between the president and his former prime minister has fractured completely. The reasons behind their rift remain unclear, though insiders suggest irreconcilable differences over governance and policy direction.
This abrupt separation has sent shockwaves through Senegal’s political landscape, leaving citizens and analysts scrambling to interpret its implications. The move also raises questions about the stability of the current administration and the future of the PASTEF movement, which now faces an uncertain path forward.
Uncertain consequences for Senegal
The fallout from this political earthquake is still unfolding. With Sonko no longer in government, attention turns to how this shake-up will affect Senegal’s policy agenda and its relationships with regional partners. The presidency has not yet commented on the reasons behind the dismissal, leaving the public to speculate about the true nature of the rupture.
The crisis underscores the volatility of Senegal’s political scene just two years after a landmark transition of power. As the nation grapples with this unexpected turn of events, all eyes remain on Bassirou Diomaye Faye to see how he will navigate this turbulent chapter in his presidency.
