President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has unveiled a new government cabinet, which notably features several members and allies of Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party. This move comes despite Sonko’s earlier declaration that his political group would not participate in this administration.

The announcement of the new government follows approximately ten days after President Faye, himself a former member of Pastef, dismissed Ousmane Sonko from his role as Prime Minister. Sonko has since ascended to the position of President of the National Assembly.

The political landscape in Senegal has been marked by a significant rift between Faye and Sonko, which developed over several months. This separation has introduced a period of political uncertainty for the nation, already grappling with a severe financial crisis.

Ousmane Sonko’s former position has been filled by Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, who on Monday presented a list of 30 ministers. This new cabinet is notable for the absence of several high-ranking Pastef officials who were part of the previous government.

Just moments before the government list was made public, the Pastef leader had issued a statement via social media, confirming his party’s non-participation in the new administration.

“Disagreement”

“This morning, a lengthy discussion took place between the President of the Republic and myself, as party President. While points of convergence were indeed affirmed, there were also, and crucially, significant disagreements, particularly concerning the role and standing of the majority within the executive framework,” the statement detailed.

The communiqué further explained, “Following a briefing to the Party’s leadership, fresh proposals were put forth to the President of the Republic, which did not receive a favorable response. Consequently, PASTEF – Les Patriotes will not be joining the forthcoming government, nor will it have any ministerial representation.”

Despite Pastef’s official stance, some lesser-known allies and members of Sonko’s party have been appointed to the new government. These include Moussa Bala Fofana, who will serve as Minister of Urbanism, and Yankhoba Diémé, entrusted with the portfolio of Armed Forces.

President Faye has also retained several ministers from the previous administration, such as Cheikh Diba, the Minister of Finance; Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, the Minister of Education; and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, the Minister of Sanitation.

The new Prime Minister, Amadou Al Aminou Lô, affirmed that the government was formed after the “ customary consultations with all relevant individuals,” including Pastef party leader Ousmane Sonko.

During the live broadcast of the list on the national public channel, RTS, the Prime Minister added, “The President of the Republic wishes to reiterate that, under all circumstances, a statesman must ensure that the homeland and the Republic consistently take precedence over all partisan considerations.”

New political turning point

This development marks a significant turning point following the political divergence between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. These two long-standing companions had triumphed in the March 2024 presidential election under the popular slogan “Sonko mooy Diomaye” (Sonko is Diomaye in Wolof).

However, fundamental differences between the two leaders became apparent over several months, culminating in their inevitable separation after Ousmane Sonko’s dismissal in late May. Sonko, the undisputed leader of their party, which holds a substantial majority in the Assembly, has since been comfortably elected as President of Parliament.

Ousmane Sonko was barred from running in the presidential election due to a defamation conviction, leading him to designate his close confidant, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as his replacement in the race. Despite their shared political journey, divergences began to surface.

Tensions first emerged in July 2025 when the then-Prime Minister Sonko vehemently criticized President Faye, decrying a “problem of authority” within the country. In early May, President Faye, in turn, publicly critiqued his former Prime Minister’s “excessive personalization” of power within the ruling party.