Just twelve days after dismissing Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced a new cabinet on June 1st that notably excludes members of the ruling Pastef party, led by Sonko. The announcement follows a sharp disagreement between the two leaders regarding the composition of the government.

Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, had already distanced himself from the administration amid months of escalating tensions. The rupture marks a dramatic shift in Senegal’s political landscape, raising concerns about stability in a nation already grappling with severe financial strain.

Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, who replaced Sonko, unveiled a 30-member cabinet list that omits several key figures from the ruling party who served in the previous administration.

In a statement released on social media, Sonko confirmed that Pastef would not be represented in the new government. “This morning, a lengthy meeting was held between the President of the Republic and myself, as party leader, during which areas of convergence were identified alongside significant points of disagreement,” the statement read. “These differences particularly concern the role and integration of the majority within the executive framework.”

The communiqué added: “Following a debriefing with party officials, revised proposals were submitted to the President without favorable consideration. Therefore, PASTEF – Les Patriotes will not participate in the next government and will not be represented by any ministers.”

The political rift unfolds as Senegal faces mounting economic challenges, including a debt crisis triggered by the previous administration’s underreported fiscal figures in 2024. The International Monetary Fund has suspended a $1.8 billion loan program, pushing the country’s debt to 132% of GDP by the end of that year. The Finance Minister recently indicated that negotiations with the IMF will resume next week, with hopes of reaching a critical agreement by June 30th.