Senegal’s governance under Bassirou Diomaye Faye: challenges ahead
Senegal’s governance under Bassirou Diomaye Faye: challenges ahead
This week, the Palaver Tree debate examines the rising tensions within Senegal’s political leadership, pitting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye against his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko. Éric Topona’s guests dissect this unprecedented political dynamic.
Following his dismissal on Friday, May 22, 2025, by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has been elected President of the National Assembly. This victory comes despite their shared origins in the Pastef party, now marked by deep divisions.
Sonko’s election, backed by his party’s parliamentary majority, solidifies his position as the second most powerful figure in the state.
On Monday evening, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, a former executive at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), was appointed Prime Minister. This move further complicates the political landscape for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who now faces the challenge of implementing reforms amid severe economic struggles.
To explore this critical moment, Éric Topona welcomes three distinguished guests:
- Mamoudou Ibra Kane, journalist and author of the essay Third Alternation in Senegal: My Dual Perspective, offering insights into the late constitutional council president Mamadou Badio Camara’s legacy and leading the political movement