The inevitable rupture between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has finally occurred in Sénégal. Following his dismissal by the President, Sonko has retreated to his stronghold within the National Assembly.
Had he been more strategic, the National Assembly would have served as the perfect sanctuary for Sonko to wait out the years until 2029. This was especially true after the overwhelming triumph of his party, Pastef, during the legislative elections in November 2024. Instead, Sonko seemingly believed that the only way to ensure Bassirou Diomaye Faye remained a loyal figurehead was to maintain a tight grip on the executive branch. He attempted to wield the powers of the state directly, with Faye initially appearing content in a more symbolic role. However, the nature of authority is transformative; as Machiavelli once cautioned, he who brings another to power eventually secures his own ruin.
A predictable collision
The presidentialist framework of Sénégal offers no room for shared leadership. In this system, the Head of State is supreme, and even a formidable Prime Minister is merely a first among equals. Sonko soon found himself constrained within the government. The situation grew dire on July 1, 2025, when the Supreme Court declined to overturn the sentence that renders him ineligible for the 2029 elections.
With his political future darkening, Sonko felt that Bassirou Diomaye Faye was indifferent to his plight. This triggered the political fighter within him. As institutional paths closed, he chose to reassert himself through grassroots agitation and a controversial takeover of the National Assembly. He now occupies this legislative fortress, backed by a massive majority and indifferent to the accusations of “forfeiture” leveled by a weakened opposition. Only President Faye possesses the authority to ask the Constitutional Council to rule on the legality of Sonko’s legislative return, a move he has so far declined to make.
Strategic calculations in Dakar
In the historical shadow of Lat Dior Diop, the Cayor king who resisted colonial forces, political maneuvers in Sénégal remain complex. Beyond the legal jargon and constitutional articles, a deeper struggle is unfolding between two men with a singular focus: the 2029 presidential race.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye relies on the weight of state institutions and the law. Conversely, Ousmane Sonko draws his strength from a disciplined party and a base of fervent supporters, showing little fear of breaking political norms. Each is now leveraging their respective assets.
While Sonko holds a powerful position within the National Assembly, his standing is vulnerable. He faces the constant threat of a parliamentary dissolution or a legal challenge that could strip him of his seat if the Constitutional Council finds his return to be unlawful. Meanwhile, Bassirou Diomaye Faye appears to be playing a long game. Having distanced himself from the turbulent Sonko, the President is working with his new Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, to stabilize the nation’s economy and manage relations with global financial bodies. Faye is quietly organizing his defenses, aware that a final confrontation is coming.
