On Monday, Senegal’s newly appointed Prime Minister unveiled the cabinet lineup. Just hours earlier, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef-Les Patriotes party, declared that none of its members would be included in the government.

This move formalizes the political schism between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Sonko, sealing the end of a once-united partnership.

The rift has left many Senegalese students bewildered. At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, some supporters still struggle to accept the collapse of the duo that had embodied their hopes for change.

Youth activists grapple with dashed expectations

Under the shade of trees near the Faculty of Arts, student Amath Segnane reviews his notes. Like countless young voters, he had pinned his hopes on the collaboration between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko.

The student voices his disappointment openly. “They marketed Diomaye and Sonko as a single force. They sold us the idea that they trusted each other and would work side by side to rebuild this nation. But if today they’ve split, it’s a crushing letdown”, he admits.

For him, the separation calls into question the image of unity that defined their rise to power.

Analysts argue the split was long overdue

Moments before his economics lecture, student Mamadou Bah shares his perspective. He believes the breakup was inevitable.

He points to visible strains between the two leaders over time. “For a while now, the former Prime Minister disregarded proper authority. He acted as though he stood above the President. Given that, his removal—and by extension, the rupture—comes as no surprise. I fully support President Faye’s decision”, he states.

Though disappointed by events, he acknowledges the President’s right to reclaim control of the executive branch.

Doubt and uncertainty cloud the political horizon

Not everyone accepts the finality of the split. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, refuses to rule out a reconciliation between the former political allies.

He emphasizes their shared history, arguing that a permanent rift seems unlikely. “Without Sonko, Diomaye would never have reached this point. They worked together for years, culminating in their election victory. Now, opinions are divided: some side with Diomaye, others with Sonko. I don’t believe this is a divorce—I refuse to accept it”, he insists.

With the President now governing without the backing of the ruling Pastef-Les Patriotes party, and Sonko—recently elected Speaker of Parliament—joining the opposition, Senegal finds itself in uncharted political waters. The new dynamic continues to spark debate across the country.