President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has officially dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, his former political mentor, along with the entire government. This significant decision was announced by presidential decree on Friday evening, following months of escalating tensions between the two influential leaders.

The presidential decree, read aloud on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary-General of the Presidency, stated that the President “has terminated the duties of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government.”

The statement further clarified that “the members of the outgoing government are tasked with managing current affairs.”

Ousmane Sonko, a formidable opponent of former President Macky Sall (2012-2024), was barred from contesting the February 2024 presidential election. This disqualification stemmed from a defamation conviction that resulted in the loss of his civil rights, triggering widespread public protests against President Macky Sall and the prospect of him seeking a third term.

In the wake of his disqualification, Mr. Sonko designated Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his chosen successor. Since Mr. Faye’s election, however, a noticeable strain has developed between the president and his erstwhile mentor and charismatic prime minister, whose considerable influence was instrumental in propelling their political alliance to power.

With his potent pan-Africanist rhetoric, Ousmane Sonko had galvanized passionate support among Senegal’s disillusioned youth in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, following an intense standoff with Macky Sall’s administration.

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

Videos circulating on social media shortly after the government reshuffle showed Sonko’s supporters converging on his home, chanting his name in a display of solidarity.

For several months, the growing discord between the head of state and the head of government had become increasingly apparent, casting serious doubt on the future of their working relationship.

Mr. Sonko’s political party holds a dominant position in the Senegalese National Assembly, having secured an overwhelming majority in the legislative elections held in November 2024.