July 7, 2026

The African Tribune

Bold, independent reporting on Africa's most important stories, in English, every day.

Senegal’s political landscape: faye and sonko’s evolving rivalry

Senegal’s political landscape is currently undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a clear shift in the dynamic between its two most influential figures. On Friday, July 3, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced his intention to form his own political party. This pivotal decision has significantly sharpened the political rivalry with his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, who currently holds the esteemed position of President of the National Assembly. This development is a key point in African current affairs, highlighting evolving political governance in the region.

Maurice Soudieck Dione, professeur agrégé de sciences politiques à l’université Gaston-Berger de Saint-Louis, au Sénégal.

What was once a powerful political duo has undeniably evolved into a direct competition. Both President Faye and Ousmane Sonko are visibly working to solidify their individual political stature, a trajectory that appears to be setting them on a collision course for the 2029 presidential elections. Providing expert insight into these African current affairs and the future of African governance, Maurice Soudieck Dione, a distinguished professor of political science at the Gaston-Bergé University of Saint-Louis, offers his perspective on this unfolding political drama in Senegal.