Sénégal political shift as president faye forms cabinet despite sonko’s boycott
In a bold political move, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has unveiled a new cabinet that includes several figures from Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party, despite the latter’s public refusal to participate. The announcement came just days after President Faye dismissed Sonko from his position as Prime Minister, a role now held by Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô.
tensions rise as political allies part ways
This cabinet reshuffle marks a significant turning point in Senegalese politics, highlighting the growing rift between President Faye and Ousmane Sonko, once close allies and co-leaders of the Pastef party. Their partnership, which secured victory in the 2024 presidential election under the slogan Sonko mooy Diomaye (Sonko is Diomaye), has now fractured, leaving the nation in a state of political uncertainty.
Sonko, who was previously barred from running due to a defamation conviction, had designated Faye as his successor. However, tensions escalated in mid-2025 when Sonko, then Prime Minister, publicly criticized what he described as a lack of authority under President Faye’s leadership. By early May 2026, the president openly criticized Sonko’s excessive personalization of the party, deepening their divide.
sonko’s party withdraws from government
In a statement released on social media, Sonko announced that Pastef would not join the new administration. The decision followed a lengthy meeting with President Faye, where both acknowledged areas of agreement but also unresolved disagreements regarding the role of the majority party in the executive branch.
«After reviewing these proposals with the party’s leadership, it became clear that our concerns were not addressed,» Sonko stated. «As a result, Pastef will not participate in the new government and will not be represented by any ministers.»
Despite this boycott, some lesser-known allies and members of Pastef were included in the 30-member cabinet, such as Moussa Bala Fofana (Minister of Urban Planning) and Yankhoba Diémé (Minister of Armed Forces). Several key ministers from the previous administration were also retained, including Cheikh Diba (Finance), Moustapha Mamba Guirassy (Education), and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye (Sanitation).
a nation at a crossroads
President Faye emphasized the importance of national unity, stating, «In all circumstances, a statesman must prioritize the nation and the Republic above partisan considerations.» His remarks, delivered during the live broadcast of the cabinet announcement on national television, underscored the gravity of the situation.
The political split has left Senegal grappling with financial instability and a leadership crisis, raising questions about the future stability of the country. Sonko’s subsequent election as President of the National Assembly has further complicated the landscape, as his party remains the largest in Parliament despite the boycott.
The cabinet formation process followed standard consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including the Pastef leadership, according to Prime Minister Amadou Al Aminou Lô. However, the absence of key figures from the ruling party signals a deeper schism that could shape Senegal’s political trajectory for years to come.
