Senegal’s President Faye dismisses Prime Minister Sonko, dissolves government
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, in a dramatic late-night move following months of reported tensions within the ruling alliance.
The decree was announced on state television on Friday by Government Secretary-General Oumar Samba Ba.
“By decree number 2026-1128 of May 22, 2026, the President of the Republic… has terminated the duties of Mr Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state members of the government,” Ba said.
He added that the outgoing administration would remain in charge of handling current affairs until a new government is appointed.
The presidency did not immediately announce a replacement prime minister.
Sonko reacted shortly after the announcement in a social media post, writing: “Praise be to Allah. Tonight I will sleep light-hearted in the city of Keur Gorgui.”
Relations between Faye and Sonko had reportedly deteriorated in recent months over political control, economic policy and the allocation of state contracts.
The two leaders were key allies in the 2024 presidential election, after Sonko was barred from running because of legal cases he described as politically motivated. Faye, backed by Sonko’s opposition movement, went on to defeat former President Macky Sall in a major political upset.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
