# Senegal political rift between Faye and Sonko > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-political-rift-between-faye-and-sonko > Updated: 2026-08-10T11:13:09.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2. The political rift in Senegal between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, has deepened into a rivalry between two distinct political entities. While President Faye has launched his own party, Kiiraay-Les Patriotes Républicains, Sonko continues to lead the Pastef party and maintains a significant presence in the National Assembly. Following his dismissal from the Prime Ministry in May 2026, Sonko has conducted nationwide tours to criticize the current administration and has threatened to censure the government. New allegations regarding financial transparency have emerged involving the use of special funds. Former Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye has called for accountability, alleging that Sonko was the first Prime Minister to benefit from specific political endowments. Ndiaye raised concerns regarding a 1.7 billion FCFA sum mentioned by Sonko, suggesting that if such amounts are provided quarterly, they could total 8 billion FCFA annually. In response, Elimane Pouye, Director General of SOGEPA SN, dismissed these claims as ‘gratuitous assertions,’ arguing that Sonko is merely the first official to publicly acknowledge the existence of such funds within the Prime Ministry’s budget. In institutional developments, Ousmane Diagne, a former Minister of Justice, has been sworn in as the new President of the Constitutional Council, succeeding the late Mamadou Badio Camara. Diagne pledged to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary to maintain public trust. ## Claims - Aly Ngouille Ndiaye claimed Ousmane Sonko was the first Prime Minister to benefit from specific political funds. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Ousmane Diagne was sworn in as the new President of the Constitutional Council on August 11, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Ousmane Diagne declared loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law as the guiding principles of his mandate. (corroborated by 4 sources) - President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched his own political formation, Kiiraay-Les Patriotes Républicains. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The 1.7 billion FCFA endowment mentioned by Sonko could total 8 billion FCFA annually if distributed quarterly. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Elimane Pouye characterized Aly Ngouille Ndiaye's claims about political funds as 'gratuitous assertions'. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Elimane Pouye stated that Sonko was the first to publicly acknowledge the existence of these funds in the Prime Ministry budget. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ousmane Sonko criticized the current government's management during a meeting in Linguère on August 8. (corroborated by 2 sources) - President Faye dismissed Ousmane Sonko from the Prime Ministry on May 22, 2026. (single source) - Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô was appointed as Prime Minister following Sonko's dismissal. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Senegal faces political rift as Sonko challenges Faye government Senegal faces political instability as former allies Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye clash over governance and political funds, while Ousmane Diagne takes leadership of the Constitutional much 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ousmane-sonko-threatens-to-censure-senegals-government ### 2026-07-27: Senegal officials resign, citing split over Ousmane Sonko Senegal’s political landscape is fracturing as Mor Tallah Gueye resigns from the FDCUIC and former Sonko ally Lansana Gagny Sakho criticises the opposition leader, highlighting growing divisions within the R​U​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senegal-officials-resign-citing-split-over-ousmane-sonko --- Cite as: Senegal political rift between Faye and Sonko. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-political-rift-between-faye-and-sonko