President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko this Friday, simultaneously dissolving the entire government. This decisive move follows an extended period of political friction, further intensifying the ongoing crisis within the debt-laden West African nation.

The unexpected announcement came via state television, where presidential advisor Oumar Samba Ba read a decree stating that President Faye had «terminated the functions of Ousmane Sonko… and, consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were members of the government.»

Senegal now finds itself in a peculiar political dynamic, with a president whose rise to power is largely attributed to his former Prime Minister. Indeed, Sonko himself was widely expected to secure the presidency, only to be disqualified from the race due to a defamation conviction.

Over recent months, the relationship between President Faye and his charismatic former mentor, Sonko, had visibly strained.

Their political party, Pastef, achieved a resounding victory in the first round of the March 2024 elections, campaigning on a platform of profound political change and vowing to tackle widespread corruption and mismanagement in public affairs.

Despite Sonko’s considerable popularity, it is President Faye who constitutionally holds all executive power, enabling him to dismiss his head of government through a simple decree.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Sonko had ignited passionate support among Senegal’s disillusioned youth.

His pan-Africanist rhetoric and unwavering stance against France, the former colonial power, particularly resonated with many.

Earlier in July, during a fervent address to Pastef party loyalists, Sonko had openly criticized President Faye, citing a «lack of leadership» and insufficient support against his numerous political adversaries.