On monday, Senegal’s newly appointed prime minister unveiled the government’s lineup. Hours earlier, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling party Pastef-Les Patriotes, declared that none of its members would be included in the new administration.

This move formalizes the political split between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Sonko, marking the end of a once-united partnership that had promised sweeping change.

The fallout has left many Senegalese students bewildered. At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, some still struggle to accept the collapse of the dynamic duo who once symbolized the nation’s hope for renewal.

A shattered dream for young supporters

Under the shade of trees near the Faculty of Arts, Amath Segnane reviews his notes. Like many young voters, he had pinned his hopes on the alliance between Diomaye Faye and Sonko.

The student voices his disappointment openly. “They sold us the idea that Diomaye and Sonko were inseparable. They made us believe they trusted each other completely and would work side by side to rebuild this nation. But now that they’ve parted ways, it’s hard not to feel let down,” he admits.

To him, the rift calls into question the unity that defined their political rise.

Others saw the breakup coming

Minutes before his lecture begins, Mamadou Bah, a student at the Faculty of Economics and Management, argues that the split was inevitable.

He points to long-standing tensions between the two leaders. “For a while, the former prime minister disregarded authority. He acted as if he were above the president. So, his removal and the subsequent split don’t surprise me at all. I fully support the president’s decision,” he states.

Though disappointed, Bah believes the head of state was justified in reclaiming control of the executive branch.

Mixed reactions and uncertainty about what comes next

Not everyone accepts the finality of the breakup. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, refuses to believe the partnership is over for good.

For him, their shared past makes reconciliation plausible. “Without Sonko, Diomaye would never have risen to power. They’ve worked together for years, all the way to winning the presidency. Now, opinions are split—some back Diomaye, others Sonko. But I don’t think this is a divorce. I refuse to accept it,” he shares.

With Faye now leading without the backing of the majority party Pastef-Les Patriotes and Sonko assuming the role of National Assembly president as the opposition’s figurehead, Senegal’s political landscape remains fluid. The nation continues to grapple with questions about its future direction.