Senegal President Diomaye Faye Signals Authority over PM Sonko at Wade Centenary

At the centenary celebration of former president Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar, Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a speech that went beyond tribute. Observers said the address was crafted to underscore the president’s primacy and to caution Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, his former coalition partner from the Pastef party, against forming a dual executive.

Analysts highlighted the context of ongoing tensions: Faye's government is negotiating a new IMF program and revisiting oil and gas contracts while managing a public debt that exceeds previous official figures. The speech referenced Wade’s legacy to remind political elites of the historical limits of power sharing. Religious commentator Imam Kanté noted a political agenda behind the ceremony, questioning alliances with the PDS and suggesting the tribute could reshape intra‑government dynamics.