Senegal political crisis erupts as sonko threatens to topple faye government

Tensions escalate in Senegal’s political arena

The political climate in Senegal has reached a boiling point. During a rally held in Mbacké on July 12, Ousmane Sonko—now Speaker of the National Assembly—delivered a scathing critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration. The former Prime Minister accused the government of abandoning sovereign renegotiations of oil, gas, and mining contracts, a cornerstone promise of their shared coalition.

In a speech that quickly spread across social media, Sonko condemned what he called a betrayal of the Pastef movement’s original vision. He also alleged widespread corruption within state institutions. His warning was clear: he intends to file a no-confidence motion to force the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, appointed on May 25 following a presidential decree.

A rift forged in May

The escalation follows a dramatic fallout between the two leaders. On May 22, 2026, President Faye abruptly removed Sonko from the premiership, leading to the dissolution of the entire government. The decision stunned the nation, as the two men were long seen as the unbreakable duo behind the Pastef movement since the March 2024 presidential election.

Days later, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô was sworn in as Prime Minister. Sonko, meanwhile, was named Speaker of the National Assembly—a strategic yet indirect role. Far from stepping back, the former Prime Minister has used this platform to intensify his criticism and keep pressure on the executive branch.

Local leaders rally behind the president

As Sonko’s rhetoric grows sharper, President Faye is shoring up support in key regions. On July 12—the same day as Sonko’s rally—ten of the sixteen mayors in Mbour publicly declared their allegiance to Faye. This show of strength comes as the president pushes to build a new political base, distinct from the historic Pastef party.

The climax is scheduled for August 8, 2026, when Faye will officially launch his new party at Dakar Arena. This event signals his determination to break free from Sonko’s influence and the movement that once carried them both to power.

A multi-pronged political battle

Sonko’s criticism extends beyond resource contracts. He has also targeted the Constitutional Council’s decision to strike down a constitutional reform, directly implicating President Faye in what he views as a flawed process. The confrontation is unrelenting, especially since both men originated from the same political camp.

Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô has not remained silent. In response to Sonko’s accusations, he took to social media to denounce what he described as the politicization of patriotism. This rebuttal underscores the executive’s resolve to resist destabilization attempts.

Senegal’s evolving political landscape

With a population of 18 million, Senegal experienced a historic political shift in March 2024 when Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected president. Backed by the Pastef movement and its leader Ousmane Sonko, Faye vowed to end the practices of the previous regime and prioritize sovereign management of natural resources, particularly the oil and gas reserves discovered off Dakar’s coast.

Mbacké, where the July 12 rally took place, is a religious city in the Diourbel region and a key stronghold of the Mouride brotherhood, a dominant Sufi order in Senegal. Touba, its neighboring spiritual capital, holds immense electoral significance. Sonko’s presence in this area is deliberate—it’s a bid to solidify his support in a region where President Faye is also trying to gain ground.

The no-confidence motion: a real threat?

The threat of a no-confidence motion isn’t empty rhetoric. As Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko wields procedural tools to initiate such a move. The critical question remains whether he can secure the necessary majority to topple the government. While the Pastef holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly following legislative elections, it’s unclear how many lawmakers will follow Sonko in his confrontation with a president from the same movement.

The power struggle between the two leaders continues, with high-stakes issues at play: the renegotiation of contracts with multinational corporations and the future political direction of post-alternance Senegal. The August 8 party launch could mark a decisive moment in a crisis that is tearing apart the camp of change.