As the new Senegalese prime minister unveiled the government’s lineup this week, a bombshell announcement followed: Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef-Les Patriotes party, declared that none of its members would be included in the cabinet.

This formal split between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Sonko marks the definitive end of their once-unbreakable partnership, leaving many across the country stunned.

At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, students are struggling to come to terms with the collapse of the political duo that had embodied their hopes for meaningful change.

A generation’s dashed expectations

Under the shade of trees near the Faculty of Letters, student Amath Segnane reflects on the shattered trust. Like countless young voters, he had placed unwavering faith in the partnership between Diomaye and Sonko.

His voice heavy with disappointment, he admits, “They sold us the idea that Diomaye and Sonko were inseparable. They made us believe they trusted each other completely and would work hand in hand to rebuild this nation. But now that they’ve split, it’s crushing—we feel utterly betrayed.”

To him, the fracture calls into question the unity that once defined their political rise—a unity that had rallied a generation behind them.

Was this rupture unavoidable?

Just before stepping into his economics lecture, student Mamadou Bah shares a different perspective. He believes the split was inevitable given the deepening strains between the two leaders over time.

He states, “For a while now, the former prime minister no longer acknowledged the president’s authority. He acted as if he were above the head of state. So, his removal from office—and the resulting split—doesn’t surprise me. I fully support President Diomaye Faye’s decision.”

Though disappointed by the turn of events, Bah sees the president’s move as a necessary assertion of control over the executive branch.

Skepticism and uncertainty about what comes next

Not everyone is ready to accept the split as permanent. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, still clings to hope for reconciliation between the former allies.

He argues, “Without Sonko, Diomaye wouldn’t have risen to power. They worked side by side for years, all the way to winning the presidency. Right now, opinions are split—some side with Diomaye, others with Sonko. I refuse to believe this is the end. I simply can’t accept it’s over.”

Today, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye leads without the backing of his party, Pastef-Les Patriotes, while Ousmane Sonko, now Speaker of the National Assembly, has joined the opposition. This new political landscape continues to fuel intense debates and uncertainty across Senegalese society.