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 Macky Sall (2012-2024), had been barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. His exclusion sparked widespread protests against President Sall’s potential bid for a third term. In response, Mr. Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his successor, a decision that ultimately propelled Mr. Faye to victory.

However, the relationship between the new president and his former mentor deteriorated rapidly. Sonko’s significant influence and charismatic leadership had been instrumental in securing their joint rise to power. His panafricanist rhetoric had also resonated deeply with Senegal’s disillusioned youth, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election and during prolonged standoffs with Macky Sall’s administration.

Upon learning of his dismissal, Ousmane Sonko took to social media to express relief, declaring on Facebook: “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep with a light heart in Keur Gorgui,” the Dakar neighborhood where he resides. Within minutes, videos circulated online showing his supporters rushing to his home, chanting his name in defiance of the government’s decision.

The tensions between the two leaders had become increasingly visible in recent months, casting doubt on the feasibility of their continued collaboration. Adding to the complexity, Sonko’s political party holds a commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, following a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.