President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal announced Friday evening the removal of Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. This significant political development in West Africa follows months of growing friction between the two leaders, who ascended to power in April 2024 on a wave of widespread public hope and political change.

The presidential decree, read on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the secretary-general of the presidency, confirmed that President Faye had “terminated the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were members of the government.”

The statement further stipulated that “the members of the outgoing government are tasked with managing current affairs.” There was no immediate announcement regarding the appointment of a new Prime Minister for Senegal.

Since their election, tensions have steadily escalated between President Faye and his former political mentor, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, a charismatic figure, wielded considerable influence that was instrumental in propelling their joint ticket to victory.

Ousmane Sonko, a vocal opponent of former President Macky Sall (who served from 2012 to 2024), was himself prevented from running in the 2024 presidential election. This was due to a defamation conviction that resulted in the loss of his civil rights. Following this disqualification, Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye to represent their movement in the electoral race.

Sonko’s fervent pan-Africanist rhetoric garnered immense enthusiasm among Senegal’s disillusioned youth, particularly in the lead-up to the elections. His rise came after a prolonged standoff with Macky Sall’s administration, which had violently suppressed protests against Sonko and against the possibility of Sall seeking a controversial third term.

Both leaders, recently released from prison under an amnesty law designed to de-escalate years of political unrest, campaigned under the powerful slogan “Diomaye Moy Sonko,” meaning “Diomaye is Sonko” in Wolof.

– Spontaneous Gatherings in Dakar –

Reacting swiftly to the news, Mr. Sonko posted on his Facebook account, stating, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in Keur Gorgui city,” referring to his residence in Dakar. Following the announcement of his government dismissal, hundreds of Sonko’s supporters spontaneously converged on his home in Dakar to show their solidarity, as observed by journalists.

Earlier on the same day, addressing Parliament, the former Prime Minister had openly criticized what he termed the “tyranny” of the West, accusing it of attempting to “impose (homosexuality) on the rest of the world.” This statement was made weeks after Senegal, a predominantly Muslim West African nation, passed legislation that stiffened penalties for homosexual relations.

For several months, the underlying tensions between the head of state and the head of government had become increasingly apparent, casting serious doubt on the long-term viability of their political partnership.

At the beginning of the month, President Faye had publicly voiced concerns about his Prime Minister’s “excessive personalization” within the ruling party, signaling a growing rift.

In a televised interview, President Faye had previously remarked, “As long as he remains Prime Minister, it is because he benefits from my confidence. When that is no longer the case, there will be a new Prime Minister,” foreshadowing the recent events.

Mr. Sonko’s party holds a dominant majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, a position secured after its landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.

Just weeks prior, the parliament had cleared the path for Ousmane Sonko’s potential candidacy in the upcoming 2029 presidential election. This was achieved through the adoption of an electoral code reform, which was subsequently promulgated by the President. Opposition factions, however, criticized this new law, claiming it was specifically designed to benefit Mr. Sonko.

In July 2025, Senegal’s Supreme Court had rejected an appeal by Mr. Sonko, who was then Prime Minister since April 2024, against his earlier conviction, which had reignited debates surrounding his eligibility for future elections.

Despite these legal challenges, Mr. Sonko was elected as a deputy in the November 2024 legislative elections. He later resigned from his parliamentary mandate to retain his position as Prime Minister, a move his party interpreted as confirming his eligibility. Looking ahead, local elections are slated for 2027, followed by the presidential election in 2029.

While President Faye does not command the same level of popular fervor as the Pastef leader, he has been steadily building support over recent months through the “Diomaye Président” movement, suggesting a potential bid for the 2029 presidency himself.

Upon taking office, the new government inherited a challenging economic landscape, grappling with a substantial debt accumulated by the previous administration. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Senegal’s debt burden stands at an alarming 132% of its GDP, positioning it as the second most indebted nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2024, the new government, formed after the opposition’s electoral triumph, accused the former President Macky Sall’s administration of obscuring the true extent of the nation’s precarious budgetary situation. This accusation ultimately led to the suspension of a crucial $1.8 billion aid program from the IMF, further complicating Senegal’s economic outlook.