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

The Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, terminated the appointment of his prime minister and former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire government on Friday evening through an official decree. This decisive move follows months of escalating friction between the two leaders.

A formal announcement broadcast on national television by the presidential secretary-general, Oumar Samba Ba, stated that the president “has ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister and, consequently, those of the ministers and state secretaries serving in the government.” The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle “current affairs” until further notice.

Sonko, once a vocal opponent of former president Macky Sall (2012–2024), faced disqualification from the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of civil rights. His exclusion sparked widespread protests against Sall’s potential bid for a third term.

Following his own election, President Faye had initially relied on Sonko’s charismatic leadership and considerable influence among Senegal’s youth to consolidate power. However, tensions between the two figures intensified over time, casting doubt on their ability to maintain a unified front.

Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric had galvanized disillusioned young voters ahead of the 2024 election, creating a groundswell of support that proved pivotal in shaping the political landscape. In response to his dismissal, Sonko took to social media to express relief, stating, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep with a light heart at the Keur Gorgui residence,” referring to his home in Dakar.

Videos surfaced shortly after the announcement showing Sonko’s supporters rallying outside his residence, chanting his name in defiance of the government’s decision. The rift between the president and prime minister had been evident for months, making their continued collaboration increasingly unsustainable.

Sonko’s political party maintains a commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, having secured a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections, further complicating the president’s efforts to reshape the government’s direction.