In a stunning move late Friday evening, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Sénégal terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the entire government. The announcement, delivered through presidential decree, was broadcast on national television by Secretary-General of the Presidency Oumar Samba Ba, with outgoing ministers instructed to handle only “current affairs” until further notice.

From allies to adversaries: the fractured alliance

The decision marks the collapse of a once-unbreakable partnership between Faye and Sonko, who jointly secured power in 2024. Sonko, barred from running due to a prior judicial conviction, had handpicked Faye as his successor—a strategic move that propelled the latter to victory against outgoing President Macky Sall. Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric and strong appeal among Sénégal’s youth played a decisive role in the election outcome.

Yet, months of escalating tensions between the head of state and his former mentor reached a breaking point, culminating in this abrupt dismissal.

Immediate reactions follow Sonko’s dismissal

Within minutes of the announcement, Sonko took to Facebook to declare, « Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep with a light heart. » Social media soon flooded with videos showing supporters flocking to his residence in Dakar, chanting his name in solidarity.

The departure of Sonko ushers in a period of profound political uncertainty for Sénégal. His party continues to hold a dominant majority in the National Assembly following the November 2024 legislative elections, adding complexity to the unfolding crisis.