An unprecedented political upheaval has sent shockwaves through Senegal and beyond. On Friday, May 22, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of his Prime Minister and former political mentor, Ousmane Sonko, in a decisive move that dissolves the entire government.
A constitutional rupture of this magnitude is rooted in the presidential decree n°2026-1128, which formally ends Sonko’s tenure. The decree invokes the Loi fondamentale—specifically Articles 42, 43, 53, and 56—granting the head of state the authority to appoint or dismiss the head of government at will. The document leaves no room for doubt: « The functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal are hereby terminated. »
Under Article 2 of the decree, the dismissal takes effect immediately, triggering the automatic resignation of all ministers and state secretaries. However, the outgoing cabinet is instructed to handle day-to-day affairs until a new team is sworn in.
From prison cell to presidential palace: the rise of an unbreakable duo
The bond between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko was forged in adversity. Sonko, then leader of the PASTEF party and a vocal opponent of former President Macky Sall, faced relentless legal harassment and was barred from running in the 2024 election by the Constitutional Council.
In a strategic pivot, Sonko named Faye—his party secretary-general and trusted ally—as the replacement candidate. The slogan « Diomaye, c’est Sonko » became a rallying cry, propelling Faye to a landslide victory in the presidential election on March 24, 2024.
Upon taking office on April 2, 2024, President Faye appointed Sonko as Prime Minister via decree n°2024-921. This marked a historic first in African politics: a mentor becoming the subordinate of his protégé, creating an unprecedented bicameral leadership dynamic.
When unity gives way to divergence
While the alliance was initially presented as seamless, the realities of governance soon exposed deep ideological and operational rifts. Sonko, a staunch sovereignist and fiery orator, championed bold stances on international policy, contract renegotiations, and a break from traditional partners.
Meanwhile, President Faye grappled with the practical demands of macroeconomic stability, regional diplomacy, and reassuring global financial markets. Tensions came to a head during a cabinet reshuffle on September 6, 2025, when decree n°2025-430 was signed. Instead of easing friction, the reshuffle highlighted power struggles between Sonko’s loyalists and the president’s technocratic appointees—especially over key ministries.
The arrangement, where one leader held constitutional authority and the other embodied historic popular legitimacy, created an unstable equilibrium. Sonko’s persistent influence over presidential decisions ultimately challenged the very notion of executive supremacy in Senegal.
A new era for Senegal
By terminating Sonko’s mandate, President Faye reclaims full control of the state apparatus, shedding the moral tutelage of his former leader. The move signals a definitive shift toward centralized presidential authority.
The future of Ousmane Sonko remains uncertain. Will he opt for a quiet withdrawal, a graceful exit, or return to opposition with the backing of his still-active political base? The announcement of the new government in the coming hours will provide critical insight into the direction President Faye intends to steer his administration.
