In a decisive move late Friday, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, his former mentor, along with the entire government. The announcement came via a televised statement delivered by the presidency’s secretary-general, Oumar Samba Ba, who declared that Sonko’s dismissal automatically extended to all cabinet members and junior ministers.

“The outgoing government is tasked with managing current affairs until further notice,” the statement concluded.

Sonko, once a fierce opponent of former President Macky Sall (2012–2024), was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election following a defamation conviction that stripped him of civic rights. His exclusion sparked widespread protests against Sall’s potential bid for a third term.

Sonko subsequently endorsed Faye, a political ally, who went on to win the election. However, the honeymoon between the new president and his charismatic former mentor quickly soured. The rift deepened as Sonko’s substantial influence and popularity among Senegal’s disillusioned youth—fueled by his pan-Africanist rhetoric—clashed with the administration’s evolving priorities.

Sonko’s immediate response on Facebook captured the moment: “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep soundly in Keur Gorgui,” referencing his Dakar residence. Social media footage swiftly emerged showing his supporters converging on his home, chanting his name in defiance of his dismissal.

The public rupture between the two leaders had been brewing for months, casting doubt on their ability to collaborate effectively. Sonko’s party, bolstered by a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections, commands a dominant majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, further complicating the political landscape.