Senegal President Faye dismisses Prime Minister Sonko, dissolves government
The dismissal follows months of tension over Sonko’s criticism of foreign opposition to new same-sex relations laws and his growing influence within the ruling party.
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, a move that significantly escalates political tensions within the ruling Pastef party. The announcement was delivered via a decree read on state television by presidential aide Oumar Samba Ba, confirming that Faye has ended the duties of Sonko and all ministers and secretaries of state. No immediate details were provided regarding the appointment of a new prime minister.
The decision marks the culmination of a deteriorating relationship between the president and his one-time mentor. While Sonko generated a passionate following among Senegal’s disaffected youth through pan-Africanist rhetoric and a tough stance on former colonial power France, Faye retains all real executive authority. The president can dismiss the head of government with a simple decree, a power he exercised following months of friction over governance and party dynamics.
The rift intensified after Sonko condemned foreign criticism of Senegal’s new law toughening sentences for same-sex relations. Sonko described the international backlash as an attempt by a "tyrannical West" to impose homosexuality on the world, specifically targeting criticism from France. This stance highlighted a growing divergence between the prime minister’s populist approach and the president’s diplomatic positioning, with Sonko accusing Faye of a "failure of leadership" for not backing him against critics.
Internal discord within the Pastef party had been visible for months. In early May, Faye criticised Sonko’s "excessive personalisation" within the party, stating in a televised interview that the prime minister’s position depended entirely on the president’s confidence. Sonko, who was previously barred from the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, responded by asserting his popular appeal and the need for stronger leadership.
The dismissal occurs against a backdrop of severe economic strain. Senegal inherited a debt-laden economy from the previous government, with debt levels reaching 132 per cent of its GDP according to the International Monetary Fund. This makes Senegal the second-most indebted country in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these challenges, parliament recently amended the electoral code to allow Sonko to run in the 2029 presidential elections, removing the previous bar caused by his conviction.
Following the announcement, Sonko returned to his home in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood of Dakar, where he was greeted by hundreds of supporters. He posted on Facebook that he would "sleep soundly" in the district, signalling his intent to remain politically active despite the loss of his official position. The government dissolution deepens the crisis in the west African nation, leaving the path for future leadership and economic reform uncertain.
