Senegal political crisis escalates as Sonko threatens motion against Faye government

Sharp rhetoric in Mbacké

Tensions in Senegal’s political landscape have reached a new peak. During a rally held on July 12 in Mbacké, Ousmane Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, launched a scathing attack on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his administration. The Pastef leader accused the executive of abandoning the sovereignist renegotiation of oil, gas, and mining contracts—a cornerstone promise of the coalition that brought them to power.

In a speech widely circulated on social media the following day, Sonko condemned what he described as a betrayal of the Pastef project and highlighted alleged corruption within state institutions. His threat was clear: he announced plans to file a no-confidence motion to oust Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, appointed on May 25 through a presidential decree.

A rift that began in May

This confrontation marks the culmination of a deepening political divide. On May 22, 2026, President Faye abruptly dismissed Sonko as Prime Minister, leading to the dissolution of the entire government. The move stunned observers, as the two had been seen as the twin pillars of the Pastef movement since the March 2024 presidential election.

Three days later, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô took over as head of government. Sonko, meanwhile, was elevated to the presidency of the National Assembly—a strategic yet indirect role. Far from fading into the background, the former Prime Minister has used this platform to relentlessly criticize the executive and maintain pressure on the administration.

Mayors shift allegiance to Faye

As Sonko escalates his offensive, President Faye is shoring up support on the ground. On July 12, the same day as the Mbacké rally, ten of Mbour’s sixteen mayors publicly declared their backing for the head of state. This show of strength coincides with Faye’s efforts to build a distinct political base separate from the historic Pastef party.

The founding congress of this new formation is scheduled for August 8, 2026, at Dakar Arena. This milestone underscores the president’s intent to fully break away from Sonko’s influence and the party that propelled them to power together.

A multi-front battle

Sonko’s criticism extends beyond mining and oil contracts. He also targeted the Constitutional Council’s seven sages, who invalidated a constitutional reform, directly implicating President Faye in the decision. The tone remains one of outright opposition, even as both men ostensibly belong to the same political camp.

Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô has not remained silent. On social media, he countered Sonko’s accusations by denouncing the politicization of patriotism. This tit-for-tat underscores the executive’s determination not to be destabilized.

Senegal’s evolving political landscape

Senegal, a nation of 18 million people in West Africa, underwent a historic political shift in March 2024 with the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The young president, backed by the Pastef movement and its leader Ousmane Sonko, pledged to break from the practices of the previous regime and pursue sovereign management of natural resources—particularly the offshore oil and gas reserves discovered near Dakar.

Mbacké, where the July 12 rally took place, is a religious city in the Diourbel region and the heart of the Mouride Sufi brotherhood, a dominant force in Senegalese society. Touba, the neighboring spiritual capital of the Mourides, is a critical electoral battleground. Sonko’s presence in this area is strategic, aiming to solidify his base in a region where President Faye is also seeking to expand his influence.

The feasibility of a no-confidence motion

A no-confidence motion is not an empty threat. As President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko holds procedural tools to initiate such a process. The real question is whether he can secure the necessary majority to topple the government. While the Pastef holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly following legislative elections, the critical issue now is how many deputies will follow Sonko in challenging a president from their own movement.

The power struggle between the two leaders continues, with the renegotiation of contracts with multinational corporations and the future political direction of post-transition Senegal hanging in the balance. The August 8 launch of Faye’s new party could mark another turning point in a crisis that is fracturing the camp of change.