After months of simmering tensions, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken the drastic step of dismissing his close ally and former mentor, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The split comes as a shock to many, given the duo’s shared electoral triumph in March 2024, when Faye secured a landslide 54% of the vote in the first round. Sonko, leader of the Pastef party and a charismatic figure, had been ineligible to run due to a prior conviction for defamation.

Their partnership had once been the cornerstone of a political revolution. Slogans like “Diomaye moy Sonko, Sonko doy Diomaye” (“Diomaye is Sonko, Sonko is Diomaye”) echoed across the country, symbolizing unity and a shared vision for transformation. Released from prison just days before their election, both men embodied hope for a nation weary of chronic instability and corruption. Yet this promise of renewal has now unraveled.

The rift between the two leaders has deepened over time. Sonko’s growing influence overshadowed the presidency, sparking a rivalry that threatens to derail the reforms promised to the electorate. Key disagreements emerged over critical issues such as debt reduction—Senegal holds the unenviable title of Africa’s second most indebted country, with its public debt soaring to 132% of GDP, inherited from previous administrations. The clash of visions between Faye and Sonko has paralyzed progress.

A battle for the 2029 presidency

The dismissal of Sonko has triggered an unprecedented political crisis. Faye now faces the challenge of governing without the support of the Pastef party, which still commands a commanding majority in the National Assembly (130 out of 165 seats). Despite his removal, Sonko remains the true architect of the 2024 victory, his popularity undiminished among the electorate.

Analysts point to Sonko’s enduring appeal, particularly among the youth, and his vision of sovereignty as key factors in his resilience. “He embodies real hope for Senegal, despite daunting structural and financial challenges,” noted Pascal Boniface, director of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), following a debate in Dakar. “Sonko is not anti-French; he advocates for Senegalese sovereignty and a reimagining of bilateral relations on equal footing.”