The newly formed Senegalese government, announced on June 1, did not include any representatives from the ruling Pastef party led by former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, as confirmed by official sources.
This decision follows weeks of escalating tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sonko, culminating in Sonko’s removal from office 12 days prior. The political fallout has cast a shadow over the country’s stability, particularly as Senegal grapples with severe economic challenges.
In a statement released on social media, the Pastef party clarified its position: “After extensive discussions with the President, while some agreements were reached, significant disagreements remain—particularly regarding the role of the majority in the executive structure.” The party emphasized that despite proposing alternative solutions, these were not accepted, leading to its decision not to participate in the new administration.
Ousmane Sonko, who was subsequently elected President of the National Assembly, has been replaced by Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô as Prime Minister. The 30-member cabinet includes no members from the Pastef party who served in the previous government.
The political rift occurs against a backdrop of economic strain, triggered by the revelation in 2024 of significant debt underreporting by the prior administration. This revelation led to the International Monetary Fund suspending a $1.8 billion loan program, pushing Senegal’s debt to 132% of its GDP by the end of 2024.
Finance Minister Amadou Ba recently indicated that negotiations with the IMF will resume next week, with the goal of finalizing key agreements by June 30.