Senegal political shakeup: prime minister ousmane sonko dismissed amid government dissolution

The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, effectively dissolving the entire government in a decisive move announced on Friday, May 22, 2026. This landmark decision, enacted through decree number 2026-128, signals a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape.

Government officials have been instructed to manage only urgent matters while awaiting the formation of a new cabinet. At this stage, no timeline has been disclosed for the appointment of a successor to the prime ministerial office.

The abrupt termination follows months of escalating tensions between the Head of State and the outgoing Prime Minister, both of whom were once key allies within the Pastef movement. Their once-close partnership has unraveled, with public rifts exposing deep-seated disagreements that have drawn widespread attention.