The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has shifted into high gear. Addressing supporters in public forums and private gatherings, the Pastef leader is taking aim—both at opposition figures and at allies within his own government. This assertive stance comes as the delicate balance of power between Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye draws intense scrutiny across West Africa. From Dakar’s streets to international observer desks, analysts are dissecting how the balance of influence within the ruling coalition is shifting in the aftermath of the March 2024 elections.

Sonko reclaims the political spotlight in Dakar

The language Sonko has adopted in recent days marks a clear departure from the cautious tone he maintained during his first months in office. He is now openly confronting segments of Senegal’s political class—both remnants of the old regime and civil society figures—accusing them of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. This move appears designed to reclaim media space and reassert his dominance within the governing coalition.

The Prime Minister is focusing his fire on his grassroots base. Pastef, once banned and later reinstated ahead of the presidential vote, still commands significant support in urban centers and among young voters. By reviving the rhetoric of radical change, Sonko aims to reinforce his legitimacy following the November 2024 legislative elections, which solidified his party’s hold on the National Assembly.

Loyalists sidelined within the state apparatus

Sonko’s public offensive coincides with a notable development: several of his closest allies—once seen as the backbone of the Pastef project—have been shut out of top government posts and strategic administrative roles. This exclusion has fueled quiet resentment within the party, where some founding members feel the original reform agenda is being diluted in favor of presidential compromises with pre-existing power structures.

The tensions are simmering rather than erupting. Several long-time party cadres, who have stayed largely silent since the administration took office, now see their influence eroding under a wave of technocratic appointees aligned with the presidency. By speaking directly to his supporters, Sonko is signaling that the ideological core of the government remains rooted in Pastef’s founding principles. The move serves a dual purpose: reassuring disillusioned activists while sending a clear message to the presidential palace.

A leadership struggle with regional stakes

The quiet power struggle between the Prime Minister’s office and the presidency is being closely watched by diplomats across West Africa. Senegal plays a stabilizing role in a region grappling with instability in the Sahel and the ongoing reshaping of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Any fracture at the top of the Senegalese government could ripple across regional diplomacy, particularly in mediation efforts with military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

For investors and development partners, the coherence of the executive team is a critical factor. Ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on debt sustainability—following revelations of deteriorating public finances inherited from the previous administration—demand a unified government voice. Yet Sonko’s public statements, often perceived as personal assertions, risk complicating the official narrative on fiscal reform and the structural changes outlined in the Senegal 2050 roadmap.

Despite the challenges, Sonko holds significant advantages. His parliamentary majority, strong appeal among voters under 30, and control over the party machinery give him an unusually strong hand for a head of government. The question now is whether this rhetorical offensive signals an imminent cabinet reshuffle, a strategic policy shift, or simply a consolidation of his authority within Pastef. What is clear is that Sonko’s latest moves mark a new chapter in Senegal’s political landscape.