Senegal President Diomaye Faye clashes with former PM Ousmane Sonko

Ousmane Sonko, now president of Senegal’s National Assembly and leader of the Pastef party, has repeatedly accused President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of being a “puppet” who is easily manipulated. During the inauguration of Pastef’s new headquarters in Touba, Sonko said, “Que Dieu nous préserve d’un président frileux… C’est quelqu’un qui se laisse influencer par des hommes politiques de la dernière heure.”

He has also criticised the president’s frequent use of the constitutional council, claiming “Chaque semaine, il va saisir le conseil constitutionnel” and denouncing a recent ruling that invalidated a constitutional amendment. Sonko warned that the president is pressuring Pastef‑aligned directors‑general of public enterprises, saying “S’il le veut, qu’il limoge tous les DG de Pastef mercredi prochain.”

The dispute has escalated to a constitutional standoff. Sonko has hinted at a motion of censure if the government continues “to instrumentaliser” the Assembly, and he has questioned the legitimacy of a 1.7 billion FCFA party fund that he says undermines his anti‑corruption stance. The rivalry, which began with Sonko’s support for Faye’s candidacy in the 2024 election, now frames the political landscape ahead of the 2029 presidential race and raises concerns about governance stability in Senegal.