Senegal’s president sacks prime minister Ousmane Sonko amid rising tensions

The president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, terminated the mandate of his prime minister and former mentor Ousmane Sonko on Friday evening through a formal decree. This decision followed months of escalating tensions between the two leaders. The announcement was delivered via a televised statement by the presidential secretary-general, Oumar Samba Ba, who declared that the president had “ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and state secretaries within the government.”

The statement added that the outgoing government members were tasked with “handling current affairs” until further notice.

From opposition to government: Sonko’s political journey

Once a vocal opponent of former president Macky Sall (2012–2024), Ousmane Sonko was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. This led to widespread protests against Macky Sall and his controversial bid for a third term in office.

Sonko subsequently endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement. Following Faye‘s election, the relationship between the president and his former mentor and charismatic prime minister deteriorated rapidly. Despite their shared panafricanist rhetoric, which had galvanized Senegal’s disillusioned youth ahead of the 2024 election, the alliance began to fracture under the weight of growing political differences.

The prime minister’s considerable influence had been instrumental in securing the presidency for Faye, yet their collaboration became increasingly unsustainable as tensions mounted.

Reactions and political fallout

Within moments of the announcement, Sonko took to social media to express his relief, posting, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully at Keur Gorgui,” referencing his residence in Dakar. Videos circulated on social platforms showed his supporters gathering outside his home, chanting his name in response to the news.

The dismissal comes at a time when Sonko‘s political party holds a commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, having secured a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections. This political dominance had further complicated the already strained relationship between the president and his prime minister.

Observers note that while the two leaders once shared a vision for change, their visions for governance and policy priorities have increasingly diverged, leaving little room for reconciliation.