Senegal’s president breaks ties with former PM Ousmane Sonko

Senegal’s leadership split after years of alliance

On Friday, May 22, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, officially terminated the appointment of Ousmane Sonko, his former prime minister and longtime political ally. The decision follows months of growing tension between the two leaders, who rose to power together in April 2024.

The once-united front of the “Diomaye Moy Sonko” movement—meaning “Diomaye is Sonko” in Wolof—has now collapsed, marking the end of a partnership that had reshaped Senegal’s political landscape.

A fractured alliance built on shared ambitions

The bond between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko dated back over a decade. Both were key figures in the Pastef party—the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity—where they shared a vision rooted in opposition to the previous administration led by former president Macky Sall.

However, their political alliance was not without strategic maneuvering. When Ousmane Sonko was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a prior defamation conviction that stripped him of civic rights, he strategically backed Bassirou Diomaye Faye for the presidency. The assumption was that Sonko would maintain influence by securing the prime minister’s position.

Yet, what began as a calculated political maneuver has now spiraled into a full-blown leadership rift. Despite their shared history, the two leaders have found themselves increasingly at odds over governance, policy direction, and the future of their movement.

From unity to irreconcilable differences

Once inseparable allies, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko have seen their partnership unravel rapidly. What started as a powerful alliance to challenge the status quo has fractured under the weight of political ambitions and diverging priorities. The separation not only signals a personal and professional split but also threatens to destabilize the political dynamics that have defined Senegal’s recent governance.

As the country grapples with this leadership divide, questions linger about the future of the Pastef movement and the broader implications for Senegal’s stability and policy continuity.