Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye abruptly removed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from his post on Friday evening, shattering the delicate power-sharing arrangement that had propelled both men to leadership following the February 2024 presidential election. This decisive action brought to light deep-seated divisions that had become impossible to conceal over recent months. An official statement, read on national television by presidential secretary-general Oumar Samba Ba, confirmed the head of state’s decision to «terminate the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state members of the government». The outgoing executive members are tasked with «handling current affairs» until a new administration is formed.
This separation marks the end of an alliance forged during their time in opposition to former President Macky Sall, whose final years in office were characterized by intense confrontation with Ousmane Sonko’s faction. After being barred from the presidential race due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights, the former mayor of Ziguinchor ultimately endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye to represent their political movement, playing a pivotal role in Faye’s eventual ascent to the presidential palace.
A split fueled by escalating rivalry
Since the new government took power in Dakar, relations between the two prominent figures had steadily worsened. This deterioration stemmed from growing rivalries for influence and differing perspectives on how power should be exercised. Ousmane Sonko’s significant political stature, as a central figure for Senegalese youth captivated by his sovereignist and pan-Africanist discourse, continued to shape national politics. This dynamic often placed President Faye in a challenging position, facing a segment of the militant base who still viewed Sonko as the true inspiration behind the political transition.
Tensions intensified further after the November 2024 legislative elections, which the presidential party won overwhelmingly. The party’s parliamentary strength remains closely linked to Mr. Sonko’s widespread popularity. In Dakar, several recent incidents had revealed increasingly visible disagreements between the presidency and the prime minister’s office, fueling speculation that a split had become almost inevitable over the weeks.
Moments after the announcement of his removal, Ousmane Sonko posted a brief, yet suggestive, message on Facebook: «Alhamdoulillah. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in Cité Keur Gorgui», referencing his Dakar residence. Subsequently, videos circulated on social media showed dozens of supporters converging on his home, chanting his name.
Parliamentary majority now under strain
The presidential decision now ushers in a period of significant political uncertainty for Senegal. Mr. Sonko’s faction retains considerable influence within the National Assembly. The ruling party’s parliamentary dominance could quickly transform this personal rupture into an institutional clash, especially given that the former Prime Minister remains one of the nation’s most popular political personalities.
The rapid rise of the Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko duo was built upon a fierce denunciation of the ruling elites, criticism of ties with the former colonial power, France, and a promise of profound political renewal. For months, their movement galvanized a significant portion of Senegal’s urban youth, energized by a message of radical change primarily championed by Mr. Sonko.
By sidelining his political mentor, President Faye now risks confronting a militant base whose loyalty remains largely tied to the former head of government. In Dakar, the prospect of a swift realignment of power at the highest levels of government is already generating considerable political unrest, in a country where institutional stability had, until now, withstood successive crises in recent years.