political tensions in Senegal after Diomaye Faye removes Sonko from leadership

The partnership between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko lasted barely two years. The President of Senegal has now removed Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. Instead, Sonko has been appointed President of the National Assembly and has retained his role as leader of the Pastef party, which holds a majority in Parliament but remains excluded from the government. What led to this sudden rupture? Can a tense cohabitation between the Republic’s President and the Assembly’s leader still function? These political confrontations risk overshadowing the pressing priorities of the Senegalese people, from economic recovery to social stability.

key voices in the debate

• Abdoulaye Tine, Minister Advisor and Spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic.
• Amadou Ba, Former Minister of Culture and Secretary General for Communication of the Pastef party.
• Babacar Ndiaye, Political Analyst and Research Director at the Wathi think tank.

how did we reach this breaking point?

The partnership between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko was built on shared ambitions to reshape Senegal’s political landscape. Yet, fundamental disagreements over governance priorities—ranging from economic reform to social justice—have now surfaced. Sonko’s removal from the Prime Minister’s office signals a deeper rift in their alliance, one that questions the very foundations of their political cooperation.

will cohabitation survive these tensions?

The appointment of Ousmane Sonko as President of the National Assembly places him at the heart of legislative power, but his party’s exclusion from the government sets the stage for a challenging cohabitation. With Parliament dominated by the Pastef party, the risk of legislative deadlock looms large. Meanwhile, the Senegalese population watches with growing concern as political infighting threatens to sideline critical issues like youth employment and infrastructure development.

what lies ahead for Senegal?

The coming weeks will be decisive. Will the two leaders find a way to bridge their differences, or will political confrontation overshadow the urgent needs of the nation? The answers will shape not only the future of Senegal’s government but also the well-being of its people.