Senegal’s political landscape entered a new phase of turbulence this past weekend. On July 12 in Touba, Ousmane Sonko directly accused President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of abandoning the pledges that had propelled them to power together. Sonko, a former Prime Minister who now presides over the National Assembly and leads the Pastef party, criticized the head of state for prioritizing the establishment of his own political entity over tackling a national debt deemed “nearly unpayable.”

“The president no longer prioritizes the Senegalese people,” Sonko asserted, pointing to the lack of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund as evidence of the executive’s economic shortcomings. This attack carries significant weight, coming from the very individual instrumental in Faye’s presidential victory in 2024.

Immediate threat of censure

Ousmane Sonko’s statements went beyond mere criticism; they included a direct threat. Capitalizing on Pastef’s parliamentary majority, secured during the legislative elections, the Speaker of the National Assembly announced his readiness to initiate motions of censure to unseat the government “as many times as necessary.” This clear declaration leaves no doubt about Sonko’s resolve to wield his institutional power against his former ally.

This intensifying dispute comes as the National Assembly’s bureau meets on July 14 to assess the implications of the crisis. The specter of governmental instability now looms over Senegal, a nation long celebrated as a beacon of democracy in West Africa.

Presidential coalition’s swift response

The Diomaye Président coalition swiftly issued a response. In a communiqué released on July 13, it dismissed Sonko’s remarks as “scandalous” and “crypto-personal,” emphasizing that President Faye “is actively seeking solutions to enhance the living conditions” of the Senegalese populace. The term “crypto-personal” suggests that those close to the president view Sonko’s offensive as driven by personal political ambitions rather than a substantive critique of governance.

This stark contrast clashes with the image of unity the two leaders projected during the 2024 presidential campaign. Faye, who ran as Pastef’s candidate after Sonko’s ineligibility, was presented as the executive arm of a partnership where Sonko embodied the ideological vision.

The widening chasm

The fissures in their alliance have been evident for some time. On May 22, 2026, Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister, a decision that formally ended their collaboration. Sonko subsequently secured the presidency of the National Assembly, a role that grants him significant leverage against the executive branch.

Sonko disclosed the existence of a clandestine agreement forged during their time in prison, wherein Faye allegedly committed to seeking re-election in 2029. Furthermore, the discovery of an undisclosed debt amounting to nearly 11 billion dollars has exacerbated tensions between the two men, with each seemingly attributing responsibility for the dire budgetary situation to the other.

On July 9, the Constitutional Council invalidated a constitutional reform championed by Sonko, which aimed to curtail presidential powers, following a direct challenge from President Faye himself. This invalidation was perceived by Sonko’s supporters as a presidential maneuver to safeguard his prerogatives.

Allegations of intimidation and economic betrayals

Sonko’s grievances extend beyond institutional matters. He has accused Bassirou Diomaye Faye of attempting to manipulate and intimidate general directors affiliated with Pastef, pressuring them to distance themselves from Sonko and threatening their removal if they remain loyal to the former Prime Minister.

Economically, Sonko has decried what he perceives as a betrayal of Pastef’s sovereignist agenda. He criticizes the executive for abandoning the renegotiation of crucial contracts with multinational corporations, particularly within the phosphate sector, a cornerstone of the Senegalese economy. “We pledged to regain control of our natural resources,” Sonko reportedly stated, “and today, nothing has changed.”

Senegal’s current political climate

Senegal, a nation of 18 million inhabitants, has long been lauded for its democratic stability in West Africa. Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has avoided coups d’état, a stark contrast to several of its Sahelian neighbors. The election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in 2024 had ignited considerable hope for a departure from the practices of the previous Macky Sall administration.

However, the unfolding crisis underscores the fragility of this political transition. Pastef, a left-leaning pan-Africanist party, built its success on promises of renewed economic sovereignty and a break from international financial institutions. Ironically, the absence of an IMF program, which Sonko now cites as a failing, was a campaign commitment of the movement.

The Senegalese economy relies heavily on agriculture (groundnuts), fishing, phosphates, and, more recently, the discovery of offshore gas and oil deposits. The national debt, now revealed by Sonko to have been underestimated by nearly 11 billion dollars, severely constrains the government’s fiscal maneuverability.

International perspective on the fracture

The Senegalese crisis has garnered significant international attention. Reports have highlighted the deepening rift between Faye and Sonko, underscoring that Senegal’s stability, often presented as a regional model, is now being tested.

For France, which maintains deep historical and economic ties with Dakar, this crisis is under close scrutiny. Senegal is a vital partner for Paris in West Africa, and any political destabilization in the Sahel region, already weakened by coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, raises concerns among European capitals.

Anticipating the next moves

The coming days will be pivotal. The National Assembly bureau’s meeting on July 14 could offer insight into Sonko’s readiness to move beyond threats to concrete action. Should a motion of censure be introduced, the government would need to secure the Assembly’s confidence to remain in power. With Pastef holding a majority aligned with Sonko, the outcome of such a vote appears uncertain.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, for his part, must decide between a strategy of de-escalation or a direct confrontation with his former mentor. Dissolving the National Assembly remains a constitutional option, but it would undoubtedly intensify the institutional crisis. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate signs of a compromise between the two factions.