President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday removed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from office and dissolved the government, marking a sharp escalation in a widening split between the two leaders who previously formed the core of Senegal’s ruling coalition. The presidency confirmed that all ministers were dismissed and instructed to continue handling day-to-day affairs in an interim capacity, as political and economic uncertainty grows across the country.
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The decision follows months of tension between Faye and Sonko, whose alliance had begun to fracture over governance and economic policy. Senegal is also facing a severe debt crisis, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspending a $1.8 billion lending program after the discovery of previously undisclosed liabilities. The IMF has estimated that Senegal’s debt reached 132% of GDP following revelations of around $13 billion in misreported obligations, adding pressure on the government as it prepares for renewed negotiations with the fund.
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Following his dismissal, Sonko responded on social media, stating: “Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood,” signaling a measured reaction to his removal. The split between the two men reflects a breakdown in an alliance that helped bring Faye to power in the 2024 presidential election, after Sonko was barred from running due to a defamation conviction. Faye went on to win the election with 54% of the vote and later appointed Sonko as prime minister despite earlier policy differences.
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Political instability deepened further on Sunday when National Assembly Speaker El Malick Ndiaye announced his resignation, describing it as “a personal choice, guided above all by my notion of institutions, public responsibility and the greater interest of the nation.” His departure follows the parliamentary dominance of Sonko’s Pastef party, which won a strong majority in the legislature.
With debt negotiations with the IMF expected to resume in June, the political realignment adds further uncertainty to Senegal’s economic outlook and its ability to advance fiscal reforms.
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