Senegal’s president sacks prime minister in historic shake-up

An unprecedented political upheaval has sent shockwaves through Senegal and the wider West African region. On Friday, May 22, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially terminated the mandate of his Prime Minister and long-time political mentor, Ousmane Sonko. The decision marks the abrupt end of an executive duo that had steered the nation since the historic political shift of April 2024.

Constitutional decree seals the break

The decisive move was formalized through presidential decree no. 2026-1128, published in the evening of the same day. Acting within the strict framework of Senegal’s constitutional provisions, President Faye exercised his authority under articles 42, 43, 53, and 56 of the Fundamental Law to dismiss Ousmane Sonko from his position.

The decree leaves no room for interpretation: Article 1 explicitly states that « the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal are hereby terminated. » Effective immediately, this constitutional cascade also triggers the automatic resignation of all ministers and junior ministers, who will remain in place to handle routine state affairs until a new government is formed.

A political alliance forged in adversity

To grasp the magnitude of this rupture, one must recall the unbreakable bond that once defined the relationship between the two leaders. Ousmane Sonko, the charismatic head of the PASTEF party, had waged a fierce opposition campaign against the previous administration. Following his disqualification from the 2024 presidential race by the Constitutional Council, he made a bold strategic decision.

While both were imprisoned during sweeping political arrests, Sonko chose Bassirou Diomaye Faye—his secretary-general and most trusted ally—as the substitute candidate to carry forward their shared vision of systemic change. The campaign slogan « Diomaye, c’est Sonko » captured the public’s imagination, propelling the young candidate to a landslide first-round victory on March 24, 2024.

Upon taking office on April 2, 2024, President Faye appointed Sonko as Prime Minister via decree no. 2024-921. This unprecedented arrangement—where a political mentor became the subordinate of his protégé—established a unique bicameral governance model in African politics.

From unity to divergence: tensions mount in government

Despite public displays of unity, the realities of governance soon exposed deep divergences between the two leaders. Ousmane Sonko, rooted in his sovereignist and fiery rhetoric, continued to advocate bold stances on international affairs, mining contracts, and relations with traditional partners. Meanwhile, President Faye faced the pragmatic demands of macroeconomic management, regional diplomacy, and financial market reassurance.

The first visible cracks surfaced on September 6, 2025, with the publication of decree no. 2025-430, reshuffling the government. Far from easing tensions, the move highlighted power struggles between Sonko’s loyalists and the president’s technocratic appointees for control over key ministries.

The delicate balance between constitutional legitimacy—held by the president—and historical popular legitimacy—embodied by the Prime Minister—ultimately destabilized the executive. Sonko’s persistent influence over presidential decisions cast a long shadow, raising fundamental questions about where true authority lay in the Senegalese Republic.

What lies ahead for Senegal?

By reclaiming full control of the state apparatus through this bold executive act, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has severed the moral tutelage of his predecessor. He now stands alone at the helm of the presidency, fully accountable for the nation’s future.

The next critical question is Ousmane Sonko’s next move. Will he adopt a conciliatory stance, fade into the background, or return to open opposition, buoyed by his enduring grassroots support? The composition of the incoming government, expected within hours, will reveal the president’s strategic direction for the remainder of his term.