President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced a new government formation that excludes the Pastef party, led by former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, following a breakdown in negotiations between the two leaders. This decision comes just twelve days after Sonko was removed from his government position and subsequently elected as the President of the National Assembly.

Tensions between President Faye and Sonko have escalated over recent months, culminating in a political rift that has cast uncertainty over Senegal’s governance. The move follows Sonko’s public declaration that his party would not participate in the new administration, citing fundamental disagreements over the structure and role of the majority within the executive branch.

Ousmane Sonko’s party, which had several representatives in the previous administration, has been entirely excluded from the new cabinet announced by Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, the newly appointed Prime Minister. Sonko’s communication following the announcement emphasized unresolved conflicts regarding the allocation of key ministerial roles and the influence of the ruling party within the executive structure.

In a statement released on social media, Sonko explained that while discussions with President Faye confirmed some areas of alignment, critical disagreements persisted. He noted that despite presenting alternative proposals to the party’s leadership, no favorable response was received. Consequently, the Pastef party has decided to abstain from participating in the government entirely.

This political development unfolds against a backdrop of severe economic challenges in Senegal, exacerbated by the revelation in 2024 of significant underreporting of national debt by the previous administration. The International Monetary Fund has suspended a $1.8 billion loan program to Senegal, pushing the country’s debt to 132% of its GDP by the end of 2024. The Finance Minister has indicated plans to resume negotiations with the IMF next week, aiming to finalize key agreements by June 30.