Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of his Prime Minister and former political mentor Ousmane Sonko on Friday evening, along with the entire government, following months of escalating tensions between the two leaders.

The announcement was delivered by Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary-General of the Presidency, during a televised address. The decree stated that Ousmane Sonko was relieved of his duties as Prime Minister, which automatically dissolved the roles of all cabinet ministers and state secretaries.

The outgoing government was instructed to handle only current administrative matters until a new administration is formed.

Ousmane Sonko, once a vocal opponent of former President Macky Sall, was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election after a defamation conviction stripped him of his civil rights. His disqualification sparked widespread protests against Macky Sall‘s potential bid for a third term.

In a strategic move, Sonko backed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement. Since Faye‘s victory in the election, relations between the president and his former ally have deteriorated steadily. The once-united duo had relied on Sonko‘s charismatic influence to mobilize Senegal’s disillusioned youth ahead of the 2024 vote.

With a bold panafricanist stance, Sonko had galvanized a passionate following among young voters during his campaign and subsequent standoff with the Macky Sall administration.

Reacting swiftly on his Facebook page, Sonko expressed relief, writing, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully in Keur Gorgui,” referring to his residence in Dakar.

Videos circulating on social media showed Sonko‘s supporters rushing to his home, chanting his name in response to the news of his dismissal.

Tensions between the head of state and the head of government had become increasingly visible in recent months, making prospects of reconciliation increasingly unlikely.

Sonko‘s party commands a dominant majority in Senegal’s National Assembly following a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.