Ousmane Sonko, former Prime Minister of Senegal and leader of the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party, has publicly shared his account of the events leading to his dismissal from the head of government. In a recent statement, he recounted a decisive conversation with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye just before his removal.
Key moments before the reshuffle
The situation took a decisive turn on May 25, when Sonko claims he was summoned by the head of state shortly after addressing the National Assembly. According to his version of events, the president expressed concerns that recent parliamentary statements had heightened political tensions, making continued collaboration unsustainable.
Sonko described the meeting as calm but acknowledged it ended with an implicit agreement on the need to end their joint leadership at the helm of the state.
Early hints of a potential transition
The former prime minister revealed that he had previously raised the possibility of leaving the Executive after legislative elections. He proposed two potential paths to President Faye: either returning to his parliamentary role to allow for a new prime ministerial appointment, or engaging in further political negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
He maintained that the president had consistently dismissed this idea until their last discussion.
Growing rifts within the government
Sonko also pointed to weeks of visible strain between the two leaders, noting he had repeatedly raised concerns with the president. He emphasized that their final meeting did not delve into the specifics of their separation, leaving critical details unresolved.
The former prime minister went on to reject any narrative portraying his departure as a smooth, consensual transition.
A sudden decision
According to Sonko, the president had planned to revisit their discussions after a scheduled visit to the Archbishop of Dakar during Pentecost celebrations. However, he received a late-night message informing him of the decision against him.
Minutes later, the official announcement was made by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, confirming his removal from office.
What comes next for Senegal’s political landscape
With Sonko’s anticipated return to the National Assembly, a new chapter in his political journey begins. This development also signals a significant shift in the relationship between the former prime minister and President Faye—a partnership that had previously driven Senegal’s political shift.
The unfolding dynamics between the two leaders continue to draw close attention from political observers monitoring power shifts within Senegal.
