Senegal political crisis sonko warns of motion against faye government

The key points

• Dismissal: Ousmane Sonko was removed as Prime Minister on May 22, 2026, by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
• Threat: On July 12, 2026, in Mbacké, Sonko announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against the government of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô
• Support: Ten of the sixteen mayors in the Mbour district publicly backed President Faye on July 12
• Party launch: President Faye is set to hold the founding congress of his new party on August 8, 2026, at the Dakar Arena

Confrontation escalates in Mbacké

Tensions in Senegal’s political landscape have reached a new high. During a July 12 rally in Mbacké, Ousmane Sonko—now Speaker of the National Assembly—delivered a scathing critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration. The leader of the Pastef movement accused the government of abandoning its sovereignist pledge to renegotiate oil, gas, and mining contracts, a cornerstone of the ruling coalition’s platform.

In a speech widely circulated on social media the following day, Sonko condemned what he described as a betrayal of the Pastef project and alleged corruption within state institutions. His warning was clear: he threatened to introduce a no-confidence motion to oust the government of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, who was appointed Prime Minister on May 25 via a presidential decree.

A rift that began in May

This escalation follows a definitive split between the two leaders. On May 22, 2026, President Faye abruptly dismissed Sonko as Prime Minister, effectively dissolving the entire government. The decision stunned public opinion, as the two men had long been seen as the twin pillars of the Pastef movement since Faye’s election in March 2024.

Three days later, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô took over as head of government. Meanwhile, Sonko was appointed Speaker of the National Assembly—a strategic yet less direct role. Far from retreating, the former Prime Minister has used this platform to amplify his criticisms and maintain pressure on the executive branch.

Local leaders side with Faye

While Sonko escalates his campaign, President Faye is shoring up support in key regions. On July 12—the same day as the Mbacké rally—ten of the sixteen mayors in the Mbour district publicly declared their allegiance to the President. This show of strength coincides with Faye’s push to build a political base independent of the historic Pastef movement.

The founding congress of Faye’s new party is scheduled for August 8, 2026, at the Dakar Arena. This milestone underscores the President’s determination to break free from Sonko’s influence and the party that carried them to power together.

A multi-front political battle

Sonko’s criticism extends beyond mining and petroleum contracts. He has also targeted the Constitutional Council’s seven Wise Men for invalidating a constitutional reform, directly implicating President Faye in the process. The tone reflects an uncompromising opposition, despite both men originating from the same political movement.

Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô has not remained silent. On social media, he countered Sonko’s accusations by denouncing the politicization of patriotism. This rebuttal highlights the executive’s resolve to withstand the pressure.

Setting the stage in Senegal

Senegal, home to 18 million people in West Africa, experienced a historic political shift in March 2024 with the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The young President, backed by the Pastef movement and its figurehead Ousmane Sonko, pledged to dismantle the practices of the previous regime and assert sovereign control over the country’s natural resources—particularly the oil and gas reserves discovered off the coast of Dakar.

Mbacké, where the July 12 rally took place, is a religious city in the Diourbel region and the spiritual heartland of the Mouride brotherhood, a powerful Sufi order in Senegal. Touba, its neighboring city and the brotherhood’s headquarters, holds major electoral significance. Sonko’s presence in this strategic area is deliberate: he aims to solidify his base in a region where President Faye is also vying for influence.

Legal grounds for a no-confidence motion

The threat of a no-confidence motion is not an empty gesture. As Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko wields procedural tools to initiate such a process. The critical question is whether he can secure the majority required to topple the government. While the Pastef holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly following legislative elections, it remains unclear how many deputies will follow Sonko in challenging a President who emerged from the same movement.

The power struggle between the two leaders continues, with the renegotiation of contracts with multinationals and the future political direction of post-alternance Senegal hanging in the balance. The August 8 launch of Faye’s new party could mark another pivotal moment in a crisis that is fracturing the camp of change.