Senegal: the political honeymoon between sonko and faye concludes amidst economic challenges

Following his dismissal by President Faye, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has now been elected to lead the National Assembly, positioning him as the head of state’s principal political challenger.

A powerful political bond once united them. The Wolof campaign slogan, “Diomaye Moy Sonko” (“Diomaye Is Sonko”), perfectly encapsulated their unwavering solidarity during Senegal’s 2024 presidential election. However, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, now find themselves in a state of direct rivalry. Their period of close collaboration, often described as a political honeymoon, lasted just long enough to see the departure of former President Macky Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024. The inherent challenges of exercising power, burgeoning political disagreements, and Senegal’s precarious economic climate have irrevocably fractured their once-solid joint leadership.

Sonko, who was relieved of his prime ministerial duties by President Faye on May 22, swiftly reclaimed his parliamentary seat within the National Assembly. In a subsequent and decisive move, the charismatic political figure was elected as the Speaker of the Assembly. This elevation now positions him as the second most influential personality in the Senegalese state, effectively the constitutional successor to President Faye, and, notably, his foremost political opponent.