Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, terminated the mandate of his former comrade-in-arms and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on May 22, following months of escalating tensions between the two leaders who rose to power together in April 2024.
The iconic duo that once chanted ‘Diomaye Moy Sonko’ — meaning ‘Diomaye is Sonko’ in Wolof — has officially come to an end. The partnership between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, which propelled them to victory in April 2024 by rallying against outgoing President Macky Sall, has now collapsed under stark disagreement.
Ousmane Sonko’s path to the presidency was blocked by a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civic rights. He threw his weight behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye, likely expecting to maintain control while securing the premiership for himself.
Once inseparable allies within the Pastef party for twelve years, their alliance had never wavered — until their shared two-year tenure in power exposed irreconcilable differences. The rift deepened steadily, culminating in a decisive break.
Related keywords