After months of simmering tensions, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal made the decisive move on May 22, dismissing Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. This decision marks the definitive end of a partnership that once symbolized hope for transformative change following the Macky Sall era. Political rivalries, disagreements over economic policies, and struggles for power at the highest levels of government have shattered what was once seen as an unbreakable alliance. In this exclusive analysis, we examine the deep-rooted causes behind this unprecedented political crisis rocking Senegal’s leadership.

To shed light on the underlying dynamics, we spoke with Babacar Ndiaye, director of research at the WATHI think tank. His insights reveal how competing visions for the country’s future and conflicting priorities have driven a wedge between two of Senegal’s most prominent figures.