The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the entire government in a decisive decree issued late Friday evening. The announcement came after months of escalating tensions between the two political figures who once shared a close alliance.

In an official statement broadcast on national television by Presidential Secretary Oumar Samba Ba, the President “relieved Ousmane Sonko of his duties as Prime Minister, which consequently ends the mandates of all ministers and state secretaries.” The outgoing government has been instructed to handle only routine administrative matters until a new cabinet is formed.

From political rivals to powerful duo

Ousmane Sonko, once a vocal opponent of former President Macky Sall, was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. This prohibition sparked widespread protests across Senegal against President Sall’s potential bid for a controversial third term.

Facing these obstacles, Sonko strategically backed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his presidential candidate. Their alliance, fueled by Sonko’s charismatic panafricanist rhetoric, resonated deeply with Senegal’s frustrated youth and propelled Faye to victory in the election.

Growing rifts in a once-strong partnership

Despite their shared rise to power, the relationship between Faye and Sonko has deteriorated significantly over recent months. Public disagreements and conflicting policy visions have made their fractured partnership unsustainable. The final decision to dismiss Sonko marks the end of a political era that once united opposition forces against the previous administration.

Sonko’s influence within Senegal’s political landscape remains formidable. His party commands a dominant majority in the National Assembly following a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections, underscoring his enduring popular support.

Public reaction and immediate aftermath

Ousmane Sonko responded to his removal with a message on Facebook: “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully at the Keur Gourgi residence,” referring to his home in Dakar’s Keur Gorgui neighborhood. Moments after the announcement, videos circulated on social media showing Sonko’s supporters gathering outside his residence, chanting his name in defiance and solidarity.

The dismissal has ignited fresh debates about the future direction of Senegal’s government and raises questions about the stability of the new administration amid persistent political divisions.