The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, unveiled the composition of the new government late Monday evening. Nearly two weeks after dismissing his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, this 30-member team—led by newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Amine Mohamed Lo—now faces the urgent task of steering a nation burdened by a massive debt and steadfastly resisting any restructuring measures.
The government comprises 26 ministers and four junior ministers, with only four women included, none holding key sovereignty portfolios. This cabinet reshuffle arrives amid heightened political tensions, particularly with the Patriotic Africans of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF) party, which has publicly distanced itself from the new administration due to profound disagreements with the President.
a government without parliamentary majority
Hours before the cabinet list was released, PASTEF issued a statement announcing its decision not to participate in the government, citing “deep-seated differences” with President Faye. Several prominent figures from the party have exited their ministerial roles, including Birame Souley Diop (Energy), Yacine Fall (Justice), Amadou Ba (Culture), and Maïmouna Gueye (Family and Social Solidarity), among others.
Despite PASTEF’s boycott, some former party members have remained in the government, such as Balla Moussa Fofana (Urban Planning and Territorial Development), Yancoba Diémé (formerly Transport, now Defense), and Ibrahima Sy (Health). Cheikh Diba, another PASTEF figure, has been retained at the Ministry of Finance while also taking on additional responsibilities for Economy and Planning.
The new cabinet also includes fresh faces from PASTEF who were not part of the previous government, such as Cheikh Tidiane Dieye (Sanitation, retained), Déthie Fall (Infrastructure), Moustapha Guirassy (National Education), and Mamadou Lamine Dianté (Public Service). Boubacar Camara, a close ally of Sonko, has been assigned to Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The Coalition Diomaye has secured six ministerial positions, with El Hadj Abdourahmane Diouf—a vocal opponent of PASTEF—promoted to Energy and Petroleum. Lawyer Me Moussa Sarr takes over as Minister of Justice, replacing Yacine Fall.
underrepresentation of women in leadership
With a 30-member cabinet, only four women have been appointed, down from five in the previous 31-member team. Three of these women hold full ministerial portfolios, while one serves as a junior minister. The appointed women are Marie Angélique Mame Selbé Diouf (Family, Social Action, and Solidarity), Djirèye Clotilde Coly (Sports and Youth), Ami Mara (Fisheries and Maritime Economy), and Mame Coumba Diop (Culture, Creative Industries, and Historical Heritage, attached to the Ministry of Culture).
Women’s rights advocates have criticized this underrepresentation, arguing it fails to reflect the demographic weight of women in Senegalese society or their expertise in strategic sectors. Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio, a member of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Senegal chapter, emphasized that “this configuration does not mirror the true contribution of women to national development nor their capacity to drive progress in critical areas.”
Since May 2010, Senegal has had an absolute parity law aimed at ensuring women’s equal access to representation and decision-making roles. However, its implementation remains limited to elective positions within fully or partially elected institutions.
the debt crisis and imf negotiations
Senegal is grappling with a staggering debt load, including a hidden debt estimated at over $7 billion, which the government has so far resisted restructuring. This issue has been a point of contention between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko during discussions over the new government’s formation.
Amath Ndiaye, an economist and professor at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, suggests that “all signs point to a shift in approach regarding the debt question.” He notes that economic stagnation, rising unemployment, and a projected growth rate of just 2.2% to 2.5% in 2026 underscore the need for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“The government faces a dilemma: securing an IMF agreement to reprofile or restructure the debt sustainably—potentially impacting subsidies across sectors—and addressing pressing social demands related to the high cost of living, unemployment, and public service improvements,” Ndiaye explains. “The main challenge lies in balancing these seemingly contradictory priorities.”
an unprecedented political scenario
Moussa Diaw, an emeritus professor of Political Science at the University Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis, describes the current situation in Senegal as “unprecedented.” This stems from a rift between the legislative majority, which won the November 2024 parliamentary elections, and a President whose party initially backed him but now finds itself in conflict.
Diaw attributes this divide to fundamental disagreements over the political direction the country should take, particularly concerning accountability, debt resolution, and justice for the deaths of over 80 young Senegalese during protests between 2021 and 2024. “Now, we have a true cohabitation: a President without a majority trying to govern while expanding alliances, facing a parliament dominated by PASTEF, which set conditions for participation but negotiations failed,” he explains.
He warns that the government of Al Aminou Lo has limited maneuverability. “A government without a majority is weakened and cannot afford to deviate from the majority’s line. Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo must avoid power struggles, as he lacks the means to engage in them, while the parliament, with its absolute majority, can block his initiatives at any time.”
clear constitutional distribution of powers
According to Diaw, the President and the Speaker of the National Assembly must prioritize Senegal’s interests above all else. He emphasizes that both institutions are vital for the country’s stability and must exercise their constitutional prerogatives responsibly to prevent institutional crises.
“Each institution has its role to play in this new political landscape, and both leaders must act with courage and patriotism to ensure the country functions smoothly and avoid conflicts at the highest level of the state,” he concludes. “The true test for Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko will be their ability to rise above partisan politics and place Senegal’s interests first.”
