In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye abruptly terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko late Friday evening. This decisive action shattered the fragile alliance that had propelled both leaders to power following the February 2024 presidential election, exposing long-simmering tensions that have now erupted into full view.
The announcement was delivered through a televised statement by the presidency’s secretary-general, Oumar Samba Ba, who declared that «the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently those of all ministers and state secretaries in the outgoing government, have been terminated». The dismissed officials are now tasked with «handling current affairs» until a new administration is formed.
This decisive break marks the end of a partnership forged in opposition to former President Macky Sall, whose final years in office were defined by a bitter standoff with Sonko’s camp. After being barred from running in the presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of civil rights, Sonko strategically backed Faye’s candidacy, playing a pivotal role in securing his victory.
Rising tensions fuelled by power struggles
From the outset of the new administration in Dakar, relations between Faye and Sonko steadily deteriorated amid clashing ambitions and conflicting visions for governance. Sonko, a charismatic leader with deep roots among Senegal’s youth and a fiercely sovereignist agenda, continued to wield significant influence, leaving President Faye in a precarious position as the architect of the political shift that brought them to power.
Tensions escalated further following the November 2024 parliamentary elections, which saw the ruling party secure a commanding majority—closely tied to Sonko’s enduring popularity. Recent months had already witnessed growing public disagreements between the presidency and the prime minister’s office, fueling speculation that a split had become inevitable.
Within minutes of the announcement, Sonko responded on social media with a cryptic message: «Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep soundly in Keur Gorgui», referring to his residence in a Dakar neighborhood. Soon after, videos circulated online showing dozens of supporters rallying outside his home, chanting his name in defiance.
A parliament divided, setting the stage for institutional conflict
This political earthquake has plunged Senegal into uncharted territory, as Sonko’s camp retains substantial influence within the National Assembly. The ruling party’s parliamentary dominance could quickly turn this personal rift into a full-blown institutional confrontation, especially given Sonko’s status as one of the country’s most popular figures.
The rapid rise of Faye and Sonko was built on a platform of fierce criticism against the political elite, a rejection of historical ties with France, and a promise of sweeping systemic change. For months, their movement energized urban youth, galvanized by Sonko’s radical rhetoric of transformation.
By removing his political mentor, President Faye risks alienating a significant segment of the activist base that remains fiercely loyal to Sonko. In Dakar, the prospect of a swift realignment of power at the highest levels has already sparked intense political agitation, threatening the stability that Senegal has managed to preserve despite years of recurring crises.
