On Monday, Senegal’s new Prime Minister unveiled the cabinet’s composition. Hours earlier, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef-Les Patriotes party, had declared that none of its members would be part of the government.

This move formalizes the political rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Sonko, confirming the end of their once-united front.

The split has left many Senegalese students bewildered and disillusioned. At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, some still struggle to accept the collapse of the alliance that once symbolized hope for change.

Deep disappointment among supporters of the duo

Under the shade of trees near the Faculty of Arts, Amath Segnane continues his studies. Like many young voters, he had pinned his hopes on the partnership between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko.

The student doesn’t hide his disillusionment. “They sold us the idea that Diomaye and Sonko were inseparable. They made us believe they trusted each other and would work side by side to rebuild this nation. But now that they’ve split, it’s a major letdown,” he laments.

For him, the rupture challenges the image of unity that defined their political rise.

For some, a rupture that became inevitable

Just minutes before his lecture begins, Mamadou Bah, a student at the Faculty of Economics and Management, believes the split was foreseeable.

In his view, tensions between the two leaders had been brewing for a long time. “We saw for a while that the former Prime Minister no longer respected the President’s authority. He acted as if he were above the Republic’s leader. So I’m not surprised he was removed from office—or that this split happened. I fully support the President’s decision,” he states.

Though disappointed by the turn of events, he acknowledges that the Head of State was justified in reclaiming control of the executive.

Skepticism and questions about the future

Others refuse to accept the idea of an irreversible break. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, still hopes for reconciliation between the two former allies.

He argues that their shared journey makes a permanent split hard to believe. “Without Sonko, Diomaye would never have reached the presidency. They worked together for years to win the election. Now, opinions are divided—some side with Diomaye, others with Sonko. I don’t believe they’re truly separated. I refuse to accept it,” he shares.

Today, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye governs without the backing of the majority party, Pastef-Les Patriotes, while Ousmane Sonko, now Speaker of the National Assembly, joins the opposition ranks. This new political landscape continues to fuel debates and uncertainty across Senegalese society.