Senegal political tensions rise between President Faye and PM Sonko

Political relations between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko have deteriorated significantly following their successful joint campaign. Tensions escalated in May 2026 when President Faye dismissed Sonko from his position as Prime Minister via decree, following public criticisms regarding the Prime Minister’s excessive personalization of the party. This dismissal led to the dissolution of the government and the appointment of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô as the new Prime Minister.

Following his removal, Sonko was elected President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026. The subsequent period has been marked by political cohabitation and legislative friction, including the rejection of several Pastef party bills by ministers.

In a separate critique, former minister Zahra I Thiam has urged President Faye to consider not seeking a second term in 2029, citing social tensions, potential strikes, and economic difficulties. She described the current administration as being ‘en panne sèche’ (running on empty), noting that legislative actions and IMF agreements may not be sufficient to resolve the country's challenges.