On Monday, Senegal’s new Prime Minister unveiled the cabinet lineup. Hours earlier, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling party Pastef-Les Patriotes, declared that none of its members would be included.

This move cements the political rupture between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Sonko, finalizing the breakdown of a once-united front.

The split has left many Senegalese students baffled and disillusioned. At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, young voters who once pinned their hopes on the Faye-Sonko alliance struggle to accept its collapse.

Youth voices deep disappointment over shattered alliance

Beneath the shade of trees on the Faculty of Arts campus, student Amath Segnane reviews his notes. Like many of his peers, he once saw the partnership between Diomaye and Sonko as a beacon of transformative change.

His voice carries a mix of frustration and disbelief. “They sold us the idea that Diomaye and Sonko were inseparable. They convinced us they trusted each other and would steer the country forward together. Now, this separation feels like a betrayal,” he admits.

For him, the rift tarnishes the image of unity that once defined their political rise.

Some see the split as inevitable

Moments before his economics lecture, student Mamadou Bah reflects on the unfolding crisis. He believes the tensions were evident long before Monday’s announcement.

“For a while, the former Prime Minister openly disregarded presidential authority. He positioned himself above the head of state. His removal was only a matter of time, and so was this rupture. I stand firmly with the President,” he states.

Though disappointed by recent events, he acknowledges the President’s right to reclaim executive control.

Skepticism lingers over future prospects

Not everyone accepts the finality of the separation. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, remains hopeful about a potential reconciliation.

The bond between the two leaders, he argues, runs too deep to dissolve permanently. “Without Sonko, Diomaye would never have reached the presidency. They built this journey together for years, culminating in their electoral victory. Now, opinions are divided—some side with Diomaye, others with Sonko. I refuse to believe this is the end,” he shares.

Today, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye governs without the backing of the majority party, Pastef-Les Patriotes, while Sonko, now Assembly President, joins the opposition ranks. This new political landscape continues to spark discussions and uncertainties across Senegal.