The leader of Senegal’s majority party, Ousmane Sonko, following his dismissal from the prime ministerial post, declared that his supporters would “back” the new administration. He urged the Senegalese president to engage in “constructive dialogue” to prevent the country from “relapsing” into a crisis.

This marks Ousmane Sonko’s first public statement since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his long-time ally and political companion, removed him from office on May 22. The decision stemmed from what were described as irreconcilable differences, notably concerning the management of the West African nation’s substantial debt.

During a press briefing in Dakar, Mr. Sonko, who was also elected President of the National Assembly on May 26, conveyed that President Faye believed “a number of positions I had taken recently caused him discomfort and presented issues.”

On Monday, Mr. Faye unveiled a new 30-member government, a cabinet notably boycotted by Ousmane Sonko.

“A country is serious! A government is serious! I have the impression that President Diomaye does not understand what it means to form a government (…) one does not form a government lightly,” Mr. Sonko sharply criticized on Tuesday evening.

He continued, stating, “What is happening is unprecedented. Yesterday, we had a government without a political base,” arguing that there was “no structured, serious political legitimacy” supporting Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

“Whether he likes it or not, we are in a situation of cohabitation. He does not have a single deputy in the National Assembly. He does not hold all the power. He needs to step down from his pedestal, and we need to talk,” Mr. Sonko emphasized, referring to the head of state.

The Pastef party (Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité) commands a significant majority with 130 out of 165 seats in the National Assembly.

“We are here to support him so that he succeeds. If Pastef wished, this government could fall within 72 hours. But we will not censure them. We will accompany them,” he affirmed.

“Let’s prioritize the higher interests of this country. If we enter a crisis of dissolution, of censure, no one will come to Senegal to invest,” he added, concluding: “I appeal for intelligent and constructive political dialogue. We must avoid plunging this country back into what it has experienced” in the past.

Between 2021 and 2024, Senegal endured violently suppressed demonstrations under the previous administration of former President Macky Sall. Dozens of people, predominantly young individuals, lost their lives during these protests, mostly from gunshot wounds.

“But it takes two to make peace,” Mr. Sonko further remarked, condemning alleged “provocations” faced by his supporters in recent days and urging the youth to maintain “calm.”