President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his entire government in a decree issued late Friday evening, following months of escalating tensions between the two leaders.

In a televised announcement read by presidential secretary-general Oumar Samba Ba, the president stated that the decision “ends the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister and, consequently, those of the ministers and state secretaries serving in the government.”

The outgoing officials are now tasked with handling “current affairs” until further notice, according to the statement.

Formerly a fierce opponent of ex-President Macky Sall (2012–2024), Mr. Sonko was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civic rights. This sparked widespread protests against Mr. Sall’s potential bid for a third term.

Mr. Sonko later backed Mr. Faye’s candidacy, and the two formed a powerful alliance that propelled them to victory. However, since taking office, persistent disagreements have strained their relationship, with the charismatic former PM’s significant influence posing challenges to the president’s authority.

Ousmane Sonko, known for his fiery panafricanist rhetoric, had galvanized Senegal’s disillusioned youth ahead of the 2024 election and during his prolonged standoff with the Sall administration.

“Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully in my home at Keur Gorgui,” Mr. Sonko posted on Facebook shortly after the announcement, referring to his residence in Dakar.

Videos circulating on social media showed Sonko’s supporters rushing to his home in Keur Gorgui, chanting his name moments after the dismissal was made public.

Tensions between the head of state and the head of government had been steadily worsening for months, making collaboration increasingly unsustainable.

Sonko’s party holds a dominant majority in Senegal’s National Assembly after securing a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.