Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has removed his Prime Minister and former ally Ousmane Sonko from office, marking the end of a tumultuous partnership that once united the nation behind a shared vision of change.

In a televised address delivered by the presidential secretary-general Oumar Samba Ba, President Faye announced the dismissal, stating that Sonko’s role as Prime Minister and all ministerial positions associated with the government had been terminated. The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle only routine administrative duties until new appointments are made.

The decision comes after months of escalating friction between the two leaders, who rose to power together in April 2024, riding a wave of public optimism. Ousmane Sonko, once a vocal opponent of former President Macky Sall, had been barred from running in the 2024 election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civil rights. He subsequently endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye to take his place in the presidential race.

With a strong panafricanist message, Sonko had ignited passionate support among Senegal’s disillusioned youth, particularly as he challenged Macky Sall’s attempt to seek a third term. Released from prison under an amnesty law aimed at easing political tensions, both men campaigned under the slogan “Diomaye Moy Sonko”, meaning “Diomaye is Sonko” in Wolof, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.

Sonko, visibly relieved, took to social media to express his gratitude, writing, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep with a light heart in Keur Gorgui,” referring to his neighborhood in Dakar. His supporters quickly gathered outside his home to celebrate his dismissal, according to local reports.

Earlier in the day, Sonko had criticized Western influence, accusing it of attempting to impose homosexuality on the world during a parliamentary session. This statement followed the adoption of a law that increased penalties for same-sex relations in the predominantly Muslim West African nation.

Tensions between the president and prime minister had intensified in recent months, making cooperation increasingly difficult. Just days before the dismissal, President Faye had publicly rebuked Sonko for what he described as an excessive personalization of power within their party. “As long as he remains Prime Minister, it is because he enjoys my trust. When that is no longer the case, there will be a new Prime Minister,” Faye had declared in a televised interview.

Sonko’s party, Pastef, holds a commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly after securing a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections. Recently, parliament paved the way for Sonko’s potential presidential bid in 2029 by passing an electoral reform, a move critics argue was tailored to benefit him. The Supreme Court of Senegal had earlier rejected Sonko’s appeal against his conviction in July 2025, reigniting debates about his eligibility.

Despite his legal challenges, Sonko was elected as a deputy in the November 2024 elections but chose to relinquish his seat to remain as Prime Minister—a decision his party argues confirms his eligibility for future office. Local elections are scheduled for 2027, followed by the presidential election in 2029.

While President Faye lacks the same level of public enthusiasm as Sonko, he has steadily built support through the “Diomaye President” movement, fueling speculation about his own potential candidacy in 2029.

The government has faced significant economic challenges since taking office, inheriting a staggering debt from the previous administration. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Senegal’s debt stands at 132% of its GDP, placing it among the most indebted countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, the new government accused the outgoing administration of concealing the true state of public finances, leading to the suspension of a $1.8 billion IMF support program.