Politics

Senegal plunged into political turmoil as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye abruptly terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on May 22 through an official decree. The decision, described by local analysts as a "political earthquake," followed months of escalating tensions within the executive branch, including public disagreements aired before parliament. During a high-stakes address to legislators, Sonko openly asserted his independence from the presidency, declaring his role as a prime minister who "makes decisions without seeking permission." The move comes after Sonko, a prominent youth leader prevented from running in the 2024 presidential election, had previously endorsed Faye as his substitute candidate. His dismissal signals a decisive shift in Senegal’s governanc...

The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, made a decisive move late Friday evening by relieving Ousmane Sonko of his duties as Prime Minister. The decision comes after months of escalating tensions between the two figures, who rose to power in April 2024 amid widespread public enthusiasm. Breaking ties after shared political battles The relationship between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko had been strained for some time, despite their history as allies in the political arena. Their partnership, forged during years of joint activism, was expected to usher in a new era of governance in Senegal. However, recent events have revealed deep divides in their vision for the country’s future. While the specifics of the disagreement remain undisclosed, insiders suggest that policy di...

Senegal’s President sacks Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko amid deepening political rifts President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has terminated the tenure of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, his former ally and political partner, in a decisive move that reshapes the nation’s leadership landscape. The announcement, delivered via state television by the presidential secretary-general Oumar Samba Ba, declared the dismissal of all government ministers, including Sonko, with immediate effect. The outgoing administration has been tasked with handling routine state affairs until a new government is formed. While the president’s statement did not specify a successor, it underscored the abrupt end to a partnership that once united a broad coalition of supporters. From opposition to po...

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a move that follows months of escalating friction between the two leaders who rose to power together in April 2024, buoyed by widespread public optimism. In a televised address delivered by the President's Secretary-General, Oumar Samba Ba, it was announced that "the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state in the government, have been terminated." The outgoing cabinet has been instructed to manage current affairs until further notice, though no timeline was provided for the appointment of a successor. Since President Faye took office, the relationship between the head of state and his former mentor—once a charismatic figure who...

Sénégal : Ousmane Sonko, le Premier ministre, quitte ses fonctionsFrance 24 Videossam. 23 mai 2026 à 6:22 AM UTCAjoutez Yahoo comme source préférée pour voir nos articles sur Google.Le président sénégalais Bassirou Diomaye Faye s'est séparé vendredi de son Premier ministre, Ousmane Sonko, après des mois de tensions entre les deux hommes. Les explications de notre correspondant à Dakar Elimane Ndao.PublicitéÀ propos de nos publicités By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

Executive shakeup in Dakar In a decisive move that has reshaped the national political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially removed Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. The announcement, made late Friday evening via a formal presidential decree, also confirmed the dismissal of the entire government cabinet. This significant development follows a prolonged period of internal discord and growing political friction between the two leaders. While Ousmane Sonko was once considered the primary architect and mentor behind the current administration's rise, the relationship has reportedly soured over several months of governance disagreements. A turning point for Senegalese governance The dissolution of the government marks a critical juncture for Sénégal. The at...

In a decisive move that has sent ripples through Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced the removal of his Prime Minister and former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire cabinet on Friday evening. The decision, executed via presidential decree, marks the culmination of months of escalating friction between the two leaders. This abrupt reshuffle underscores the growing strains within Senegal’s leadership, where once-close allies now find themselves on opposing sides of a widening divide. The decree, signed late Friday, effectively dissolves the government and sets the stage for a new administrative structure under the president’s direction. As the dust settles, political observers are left to speculate about the motivations behind this bold decisi...

Mali: jihadist group Jnim launches deadly raids on five villages near Bandiagaralocal correspondentEyewitnesses report coordinated strikes against civilian targets in the region’s most vulnerable communities.The Jnim launched simultaneous offensives between 5 and 6 PM local time against three villages in Dimbal commune—Logo, Soulakanda, and Dimbal—and two more in Bankass commune, Ogossagou and Kouroundé. Local defense forces known as dozos, traditional hunters filling security gaps where state presence is thin, engaged the attackers in fierce clashes.Preliminary tallies indicate at least twenty fatalities, including several dozos and unarmed residents. A prominent dozo leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed outrage at the absence of military intervention during the assaults,...

In a dramatic political shift on May 22, 2026, Senegal entered uncharted waters as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye abruptly terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The decision unfolded against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two highest-ranking officials in the executive branch, culminating in Sonko’s dismissal after a day of intense confrontation. Just hours before his removal, Ousmane Sonko had been actively engaged in what would become a contentious final chapter of his tenure. The move signals a significant realignment within the government’s leadership structure and raises questions about the future direction of Senegal’s political landscape. With this reshuffle, President Faye has taken a decisive step that could reshape the nation’s governance framew...

Senegal president sacks prime minister Ousmane Sonko amid political crisis The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has terminated the appointment of his Prime Minister and former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire government, through a presidential decree issued Friday evening. This decisive move follows months of escalating tensions between the two leaders. In an official statement broadcast on national television by the Secretary General of the Presidency, Oumar Samba Ba, President Faye announced the dismissal of Mr. Sonko as Prime Minister and, consequently, the dissolution of the entire cabinet. The outgoing ministers have been instructed to handle only caretaker duties until a new government is formed. Ousmane Sonko, once a vocal opponent of former President Mack...

Senegal's president dismisses Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the entire government through a presidential decree issued late Friday evening. The announcement was made on national television by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Oumar Samba Ba, who stated that the president "has ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently, those of all ministers and state secretaries in the government." The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle "current affairs" until a new government is formed. Background of the political rift Ousmane Sonko, once a fierce opponent of former President Macky Sall, was barred from running in the Februa...

Senegal's president faye removes prime minister sonko amidst political tensions The former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, on September 26, 2024, in Dakar. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially terminated the mandate of his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko – his former political mentor – along with the entire cabinet on Friday evening via presidential decree. This significant move follows months of escalating friction between the two prominent figures in Senegalese politics. The announcement, read on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency, confirmed that President Faye "has ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were ...