Senegal president sacks prime minister Ousmane Sonko amid political tensions

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 February 2024 presidential election following a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civic rights. The decision sparked widespread protests against President Sall’s potential bid for a third term.

Sonko subsequently endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who went on to win the election. However, tensions between the president and his former mentor and charismatic prime minister have since escalated, threatening the stability of their political alliance.

Political dynamics and public reaction

Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric resonated deeply with Senegal’s disillusioned youth ahead of the 2024 election, fueling his rise to prominence. His influence was instrumental in propelling the Faye-Sonko duo to power. Yet, the relationship between the two leaders has progressively deteriorated, raising doubts about their ability to govern cohesively.

Sonko’s dismissal prompted an immediate wave of support, with videos circulating on social media showing his supporters gathering outside his residence in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar, chanting his name in celebration. The moment marked a turning point in Senegal’s political landscape.

The party led by Sonko holds a commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly after securing a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections. This political dominance has further complicated the dynamics within the Faye administration.