Senegal: president faye removes prime minister ousmane sonko from office

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal announced late Friday his decision to relieve Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of his duties. This significant political development follows months of escalating tensions between the two leaders, who ascended to power in April 2024 on a wave of immense popular hope and a promise of new African governance.

The presidential decree, read on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency, stated that President Faye had “ended 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 clarified that “the members of the outgoing government are tasked with handling current affairs.” As of now, no successor has been named to the position of Prime Minister.

Since their joint victory, political observers have noted a growing rift between President Faye and his charismatic former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, whose considerable influence was instrumental in propelling their duo into the highest offices of Senegal’s current affairs.

Ousmane Sonko, a staunch critic of former President Macky Sall (2012-2024), was barred from contesting the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that resulted in the loss of his civil rights. Subsequently, Mr. Sonko designated Bassirou Diomaye Faye to run in his stead.

With a powerful pan-Africanist rhetoric, Ousmane Sonko captivated Senegal’s disillusioned youth in the lead-up to the election, following a protracted standoff with Macky Sall’s administration. Sall’s government had violently suppressed protests against him and the contentious possibility of a third term.

Fresh from prison, both men campaigned under the rallying cry “Diomaye Moy Sonko” – meaning “Diomaye is Sonko” in Wolof – a testament to their intertwined political destinies, facilitated by an amnesty law aimed at easing years of political turmoil.

Spontaneous Gathering Underscores Public Sentiment

“Alhamdoulillah. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in Cité Keur Gorgui,” Mr. Sonko immediately posted on his Facebook account, referring to his Dakar residence.

Following the announcement of his dismissal, hundreds of Sonko’s supporters converged spontaneously on his home Friday evening, hailing him, as observed by local journalists.

Earlier in the day, the outgoing Prime Minister had publicly denounced what he called the “tyranny” of the West, accusing it of attempting to “impose (homosexuality) on the rest of the world” during a parliamentary address. This statement came weeks after Senegal, a predominantly Muslim West African nation, adopted 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 doubt on the sustainability of their political alliance.

At the beginning of the month, President Faye had openly criticized his Prime Minister’s “excessive personalization” within the ruling party.

“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,” President Faye had declared in a televised interview, hinting at the potential for such a change in African governance.

Mr. Sonko’s party currently holds a substantial majority in the Senegalese National Assembly, having secured an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections of November 2024.

Just weeks ago, the parliament enacted a reform of the electoral code, subsequently promulgated by the President, which clears the path for Ousmane Sonko’s potential candidacy in the next presidential election in 2029. This legislative change was met with criticism from the opposition, who argued it was specifically designed to benefit Mr. Sonko.

In July 2025, Senegal’s Supreme Court had rejected an appeal by Mr. Sonko – who had been Prime Minister since April 2024 – against his earlier conviction, reigniting debates surrounding his eligibility for future office. Despite this, Mr. Sonko was elected as a deputy in the November 2024 legislative elections, though he later resigned his mandate to retain his position as Prime Minister, a move his party asserts confirms his eligibility. Upcoming local elections are scheduled for 2027, preceding the presidential vote in 2029.

While Mr. Faye may not command the same level of popular enthusiasm as the Pastef leader, he has been steadily consolidating support over recent months through the “Diomaye Président” movement, suggesting a possible bid for the 2029 presidency.

Since assuming office, the nation’s leaders have grappled with a challenging economic landscape. They inherited a colossal debt from the previous administration, which, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stands at an equivalent of 132% of Senegal’s GDP, positioning it as the second most indebted country in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a critical issue for African current affairs.

In 2024, the newly formed government, following the opposition’s electoral triumph, accused the former President Macky Sall’s administration of obscuring the severity of this alarming budgetary situation, which ultimately led to the suspension of a $1.8 billion IMF aid program.