Senegal president sacks prime minister Ousmane Sonko amid growing tensions

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal abruptly terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his entire cabinet on Friday evening through an official decree, following months of escalating friction between the two leaders.

In a televised statement delivered by the Presidential Secretary-General Oumar Samba Ba, the President declared that he had “terminated the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently those of all ministers and state secretaries serving in the government.” The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle only routine administrative matters pending further decisions.

Once a vocal critic of former President Macky Sall, Sonko faced disqualification from the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. This led to widespread protests against Sall’s potential bid for a third term in office.

Sonko had instead backed Bassirou Diomaye Faye for the presidency. Yet, the alliance between the two men has since deteriorated sharply, despite their combined grassroots appeal and panafricanist rhetoric that energized the youth ahead of the 2024 vote.

Sonko’s influence and relentless campaigning were instrumental in propelling Faye to victory, but their partnership has been strained by divergent visions for governance and leadership.

Moments after the announcement, Sonko took to social media to express relief, posting: “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully in the Keur Gorgui district of Dakar,” where his residence is located.

Videos circulating online showed Sonko’s supporters flocking to his home, chanting his name and celebrating the news within minutes of the decree being issued.

Tensions between the head of state and the head of government had been steadily intensifying for several months, casting doubt on their ability to maintain a functional working relationship.

Sonko’s political party commands overwhelming support in the Senegalese National Assembly, having secured a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.