Senegal’s political storm: diomaye faye and ousmane sonko’s inevitable clash

The long-anticipated fracture between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has finally materialized in Senegal. Following his dismissal by President Faye, Sonko has strategically repositioned himself within the National Assembly.

Had Sonko possessed foresight, the National Assembly would have been his ideal refuge from the outset, a place to calmly await 2029. This strategy gained even more traction after Pastef, his party, secured an overwhelming victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.

Sonko, it seems, believed that the most effective way to ensure Diomaye Faye wouldn’t grow too fond of the presidential seat was to remain in close proximity, directly exercising executive prerogatives alongside Faye, who initially appeared content to be a ceremonial head of state. However, as Machiavelli once warned, power transforms, and he who helps another rise to power often seals his own demise.

The inevitable split has arrived!

In a presidential system like Senegal’s, there is little room for anyone beyond the Head of State. A Prime Minister, no matter how exceptionally influential, ultimately remains merely primus inter pares – first among equals, but nothing more.

Sonko soon found the government constricting. Further exacerbating his situation was the Supreme Court’s refusal on July 1, 2025, to annul the ruling that rendered him ineligible for the 2029 elections. From that moment, Sonko’s political prospects dimmed considerably. Worse still, he seemingly felt that President Diomaye Faye showed little concern for his predicament. Consequently, the ever-present political animal within Sonko rebelled. With institutional avenues progressively closing, he opted to re-establish his influence through popular mobilization, occasionally pushing the boundaries, as seen in the circumstances surrounding his assumption of leadership in the National Assembly. This Assembly has now become his stronghold, secured by sheer numbers, without fear of potential malfeasance accusations from Senegal’s diminished opposition. Only Diomaye Faye possesses the authority to consult the Constitutional Council regarding the legality of Sonko’s move into the National Assembly, a step he has, for the time being, chosen not to take.

Diomaye Faye’s inaction: a calculated move?

In the land of Lat Dior Diop, the revered 19th-century King of Cayor and a hero of the anti-colonial struggle, nothing is ever straightforward. To return to our current subject, merely reciting constitutional articles and subsequent laws offers little insight into the unfolding drama. There are two key players and a singular objective, to paraphrase Senegal’s national motto. Diomaye Faye, the shrewd operator, and Sonko, the ‘Djambar’ or ‘hurricane’, are these two actors. Their shared goal is the 2029 presidential election.

These two political figures wield different instruments. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye commands the institutions and the law, providing a clear advantage in governance. Ousmane Sonko, on the other hand, relies on the unwavering strength of his dedicated partisans, a highly disciplined party, and his willingness to challenge established norms without hesitation.

How will each player effectively utilize their resources?

Ousmane Sonko, by securing the National Assembly, undeniably holds a powerful position. However, its utility is complicated by several factors: the methods employed in its acquisition, the looming threat of the Assembly’s dissolution, and most significantly, the potential charge of malfeasance should a referral to the Constitutional Council conclude that Sonko’s re-entry as a deputy was illegal.

Diomaye Faye, for his part, appears to be biding his time. Now unburdened by the presence of Sonko, he aims, alongside his new Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, to stabilize economic affairs and strengthen ties with international financial institutions. He understands that a confrontation is inevitable and is reportedly preparing meticulously, surrounded by a capable team. This unfolding dynamic is a critical piece of African current affairs, reflecting the complexities of African governance and leadership on the continent.