Senegal’s political fracture: Faye and Sonko’s power struggle deepens

Senegal has become the focus of global attention following a high-profile report that exposes the widening chasm between two of the nation’s most influential leaders. The documentary, released by an international media organization, dissects the deteriorating relationship between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko—former allies who jointly led the PASTEF to victory in the 2024 presidential election.

The timing of the coverage coincides with a pivotal moment in Senegalese politics: the Constitutional Council’s decision to annul a sweeping constitutional reform passed by Parliament just days earlier. This legal setback has intensified the power struggle between the two leaders, casting a shadow over the country’s political stability with the 2029 presidential election looming on the horizon.

From electoral partners to political adversaries

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko forged a historic alliance in 2024, clinching the presidency under the PASTEF banner. The party’s overwhelming majority—130 out of 165 seats in the National Assembly—was expected to streamline governance and legislative progress. Instead, ideological divides have surfaced, particularly on economic policy and engagement with international financial institutions like the IMF. Analysts describe the unfolding dynamic as a high-stakes confrontation between two competing visions for Senegal’s future.

Adding fuel to the fire is the dual role Ousmane Sonko plays: he simultaneously serves as Prime Minister and President of the National Assembly. This unprecedented concentration of legislative and executive authority has fueled tensions with the presidency, which views such power consolidation as a direct challenge to its constitutional prerogatives.

Constitutional reform sparks institutional showdown

On June 29, 2026, Parliament passed a reform aiming to shift power from the presidency to the legislature. The proposed changes included prohibiting the president from leading a political party and replacing the Constitutional Council with a nine-member Constitutional Court. Critically, the reform also outlined a new funding mechanism for the yet-to-be-established court.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye challenged the reform’s validity by filing a petition with the Constitutional Council. On July 10, the Council ruled against the reform, citing procedural irregularities and the absence of a clear funding plan for the new court. Prime Minister Sonko publicly accepted the decision, stating it was binding, yet the terse remark did little to quell concerns about the escalating institutional deadlock.

International spotlight on Senegal’s instability

The release of the international report underscores the growing external scrutiny of Senegal’s political turbulence. Often hailed as a democratic stronghold in West Africa, the country now faces questions about its institutional resilience. With a population of nearly 19 million, Senegal remains a vital economic and diplomatic partner for France and other global stakeholders.

Local media outlets have extensively covered the reform’s annulment, emphasizing the severity of the rift at the highest levels of government. Commentators have framed the face-off between Faye and Sonko as a high-stakes duel for control of Senegal’s political future, a characterization that has resonated across the country’s media landscape.

Senegal’s evolving political landscape

Senegal operates under a presidential system where the head of state traditionally wields significant authority. The 2024 election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye marked a significant political shift, propelled by PASTEF’s reformist agenda and Ousmane Sonko’s widespread appeal. However, the current configuration—where the Prime Minister also presides over Parliament—has created an unusual concentration of power that has exacerbated tensions with the presidency.

The country grapples with pressing economic challenges, including public debt management and negotiations with the IMF. Disagreements between Faye and Sonko on these economic strategies reflect deeper strategic differences that extend beyond mere political rivalry.

Election timeline adds urgency to the crisis

The 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential vote loom large, with analysts predicting that the Faye-Sonko split will define the next electoral cycle. The risk of a fractured PASTEF or a realignment of political alliances looms large, particularly given the party’s overwhelming parliamentary majority. Neither leader can govern effectively without the other’s cooperation, raising concerns about potential institutional paralysis.

The international report frames the current crisis not as a fleeting dispute but as the opening chapter of a protracted power struggle. The coming months will reveal whether the two leaders can find a way to coexist—or if their partnership collapses entirely. While the Constitutional Council’s decision provided temporary relief for President Faye, it did little to resolve the underlying differences between the two men. As Senegal’s political scene grows increasingly uncertain, regional and international observers are watching closely.