Senegal government reshuffle sparks political split

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has unveiled a new cabinet that includes several figures connected to the Pastef party, despite a declared boycott by former prime minister Ousmane Sonko. The announcement comes just days after President Faye, also from Pastef, dismissed Sonko, who now serves as Speaker of the National Assembly.

The new administration was formed following standard consultations with key stakeholders, including Ousmane Sonko. However, the Pastef leader publicly stated his party would not participate in the government, citing unresolved disagreements over the role of the majority within the executive structure.

Key figures and political fallout

Among those included in the cabinet are lesser-known allies of Sonko, such as Moussa Bala Fofana (Minister of Urban Planning) and Yankhoba Diémé (Minister of Armed Forces). Several ministers from the previous administration were retained, including Cheikh Diba (Finance), Moustapha Mamba Guirassy (Education), and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye (Sanitation).

Sonko’s decision to boycott followed a prolonged period of tension with President Faye, culminating in his removal from the prime ministerial role in late May. Sonko, who remains a dominant force within Pastef and the National Assembly, was later elected Speaker of Parliament.

Root causes of the rift

The split between Faye and Sonko traces back to disagreements that surfaced as early as July 2025, when Sonko criticized what he described as a “lack of authority” in the government. By May 2025, President Faye had accused Sonko of “excessive personalization” within the ruling party.

Sonko’s ineligibility for the 2024 presidential election, due to a prior defamation conviction, led him to back Faye as his replacement. However, their alliance eventually unraveled, marking a significant shift in Senegal’s political landscape amid ongoing economic challenges.

In a statement released on social media, Sonko explained that while some areas of consensus were found during talks with President Faye, critical disagreements persisted regarding the strategic positioning of the majority party in the executive branch. After presenting revised proposals to Faye, Sonko concluded that Pastef – Les Patriotes would not be part of the new government.