In a significant political development, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently dismissed his long-standing ally, Ousmane Sonko, and his entire government on Friday, May 22. Just two days later, the former Prime Minister reclaimed his parliamentary mandate. Simultaneously, Malick Ndiaye, the President of the National Assembly, announced his resignation. The election for the new Assembly President is scheduled for Tuesday, with Ousmane Sonko emerging as a potential candidate. These rapid changes signal an impending confrontation between the executive and legislative branches of power in Senegal.
Political observers suggest this separation was inevitable. The fundamental setup of the Faye-Sonko partnership contained inherent and irreconcilable contradictions. This wasn’t due to a lack of individual talent or diverging political visions, but rather the very nature of executive power in a republic, which is fundamentally unitary. Historical precedents across Africa, from Nkrumah to Sankara, Modibo Keïta to Laurent-Désiré Kabila, illustrate that cohabitation at the highest levels between two equally strong wills invariably concludes with one’s removal or the demise of both.
Mounting Fractures
Indeed, this current situation is the culmination of months of underlying tensions between the two leaders, who ascended to power in April 2024 amidst widespread popular hope. The political rift had been brewing since last July, when initial cracks appeared in their alliance. At that time, Ousmane Sonko reportedly raised concerns about a “problem of authority,” accusing the President of not adequately defending him against political attacks. The final rupture occurred mere hours after a session at the National Assembly where the former head of government publicly questioned several presidential decisions, including the management of political funds, asserting that the President had “made an error.”
Executive vs. Legislative Showdown?
The crucial question now is whether the former Prime Minister will become the primary opposition figure to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Given his considerable popularity, Ousmane Sonko represents a significant challenge to the current administration. The next phase of this power dynamic will likely unfold within the National Assembly. Political science professor Moussa Diaw of Gaston-Berger University in Saint-Louis anticipates that the political struggle could very well shift to the legislative body, creating a potential standoff between the head of state and the parliament. Such a scenario could severely impede governmental action, especially as the executive plans to introduce a series of institutional reforms. These include four key legislative texts concerning constitutional revision, the Constitutional Court, political parties, and the establishment of an independent national electoral commission, all of which are slated for presentation before the National Assembly. This leaves President Faye with limited room for maneuver.
The situation now appears to be Pastef, the party largely controlled by Ousmane Sonko, pitted against the Diomaye Faye presidential coalition. This signifies a direct battle between the executive and legislative powers, an intense struggle with the 2027 communal elections and, more importantly, the 2029 presidential election firmly in sight. Among the Pastef supporters, particularly the youth who had placed their faith in the Faye-Sonko duo’s promises, there is palpable doubt, anger, and disillusionment.
Could Ousmane Sonko Emerge Victorious?
The power struggle has officially begun, and it could potentially favor Ousmane Sonko. According to geopolitical analyst Adrien Poussou, the current political reality in Senegal is undeniable: the Pastef party dominates the national scene, thanks to its exceptional grassroots mobilization, a dedicated youth base, and a compelling narrative forged during years of opposition to the Macky Sall regime. Within this dynamic, Sonko remains the central figure. Even when previously hindered by legal challenges and absent from presidential ballots, the hope for change largely coalesced around him. While President Faye possesses institutional legitimacy, his former Prime Minister retains a formidable popular and militant legitimacy. In any future political or electoral confrontation, this factor could prove decisive.