“It hurt us very, very much to know that the president dismissed the prime minister,” activist Nourdine Diallo said. “We campaigned by saying ‘Diomaye is Sonko - Sonko is Diomaye.’ This slogan was really real, it wasn’t just words.”

Some supporters compared the political split to historic divisions among African leaders.

“As an African, it’s the usual in our history ,” said Adama Fall, a PASTEF municipal councillor in Thies-Ouest. “Today, we are reliving history.”

Despite Sonko’s dismissal, supporters insisted he remained central to the movement’s future. “He will rest and come back to us in force to lead us in this revolution,” activist Maimouna Goudiaby said.

Fall accused President Faye of leading a “counter-revolution” against the movement Sonko built through the PASTEF party.

President Faye announced Sonko’s dismissal in a decree read on state television late Friday night. The decree also dissolved the government but did not name a replacement prime minister.

Sonko later reacted on social media , writing: “Praise be to Allah. Tonight I will sleep light-hearted in the city of Keur Gorgui.”

The two men rose to power together during the 2024 election after Sonko was barred from running because of legal cases he denied. Faye, backed by Sonko’s opposition movement, defeated then-president Macky Sall in a major political upset.

“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.

The move comes as Senegal pushes back against CAF’s appeal ruling and prepares to take the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Senegal’s football federation has said it will challenge the decision after CAF overturned the result of the final against Morocco.

CAF, in a ruling issued March 17, 2026, said it upheld an appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) relating to Match No. 52 of AFCON Morocco 2025. The CAF Appeals Jury declared Morocco’s appeal admissible and overturned an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Jury on procedural grounds, saying Morocco’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings.

After reviewing the case, CAF said Senegal’s conduct during the final breached Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which deal with misconduct and forfeiture. CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the match and recorded the final as a 3 - 0 win for Morocco, effectively handing the hosts the title.

The controversy stems from chaotic scenes late in the final in Rabat on January 19, when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF’s appeal body said the walk-off amounted to a forfeitable offence under the rules.

Senegal’s federation has rejected the ruling and vowed to seek relief at CAS. Senegalese officials have also indicated they will not return the trophy while the case is pending, insisting the matter should be settled through international arbitration.

The charges are based on findings from a parliamentary investigation.

The brother-in-law of former President Macky Sall has been denied bail and will remain in custody, his lawyer confirmed.

“We made an offer of bail, but it was not accepted,” he said. “We made serious objections, which were also rejected,” the lawyer was quoted by Senenews .

Faye is one of several former ministers now facing legal action as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye steps up efforts to address corruption in government .

Prior to this, four other former ministers were questioned by the courts: Moustapha Diop, who was arrested over allegations he diverted $4 million from Senegal’s Covid-19 relief programme and Aïssatou Sophie Gladima, who was placed in custody over accusations of mismanaging more than $300,000 meant to support miners during the pandemic.

The others are Ndeye Saly Diop Dieng, who was released on bail, and Ismaïla Madior Fall, who has been placed under electronic monitoring.

The High Court of Justice , which deals with cases involving government officials, is overseeing the investigations.

President Faye, elected earlier this year, has made fighting corruption one of his top priorities. He has promised to rebuild trust in state institutions and ensure that public funds are used properly.

“Life has been difficult for young people since the arrival of this new regime,” said street vendor Madiaw Pakha. “The police prevent us from selling on the street, and life is very expensive, which was not the case during President Macky Sall’s time. Sonko came here and made us many promises, but since then, we have not seen him again. It is time for the authorities to help us,” he told the AFP

Some young people, however, believe that the government needs more time to fulfill its promises. University of Dakar student Abdou Hakim Ndir acknowledged the economic challenges the administration is facing. “Currently, it's a bit difficult with the debt issues, but I believe that if we give them a little time, they will try to manage things,” he said. Fellow student Cheikh Astal Gadiaga echoed this sentiment, urging patience. “Citizens must be understanding while knowing that there were enormous difficulties in the past regime. Some issues need to be fixed before we can move forward.”

Fisherman Saliou Wade is among those who remain optimistic. “Compared to past years, Senegal now offers many opportunities, and I firmly believe that the new authorities can succeed if we support them. Many young people attempted illegal emigration because they had lost hope in this country, but today, we have authorities we trust. If we give them a little time, they will be able to succeed,” he said.

According to Modiene Joe Ndiaye, responsible for financing at the General Delegation for the Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER), an overwhelming number of young people are seeking financial assistance. “We launched a campaign to receive funding requests with a budget of 5 billion CFA francs. In less than a month, we received 60 billion CFA francs in requests, which shows the motivation and expectations of the youth.”

The soldiers, protesting delayed pay and poor treatment, were attacked at the Thiaroye camp near Dakar. Official records state at least 35 were killed, but some historians suggest the actual death toll could be far higher.

While praising Macron's admission, Faye called for a reassessment of Senegal’s relationship with France, specifically questioning the continued presence of French military bases in the country.

"As we approach the 65th anniversary of our independence, the French authorities must consider moving towards a partnership free of military presence yet rich, fruitful, and privileged," he said.

The president emphasised that Senegal seeks partnerships rooted in mutual respect and sovereignty. “Our desire to see the absence of military forces from any country should not be misunderstood as a severance of ties with France,” Faye clarified, adding that Senegal remains open to global partnerships, including with nations such as Russia.

He emphasised the need to secure a massive number of parliamentary seats, chanting "99% in Bignona."

This parliamentary election is seen as a crucial test for Sonko and his party. It follows the March 2024 presidential election, where Sonko faced off against former President Macky Sall.

The upcoming elections will determine the composition of the 165-seat National Assembly and could significantly impact the political landscape of Senegal.

Meanwhile, some Senegalese believe the government has taken too long in implementing its policies and reforms eight months after the presidential election in March.

"They talked to us about projects, but so far they haven't done anything. They've done nothing. The Senegalese were expecting more of them, but for the moment they've done nothing," Mamoudou Soumare, a student shared with AFP.

The government, however, attributes the delays to opposition obstruction in parliament.

In September, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved parliament and called for snap elections. The race is now dominated by four major coalitions, including the opposition Takku Wallu, which is backed by Sall.

Many Senegalese, like Niokhor Ndong, a retired resident, see the decision as a positive step towards better governance. "I think it's a wise decision," Ndong remarked. Adding that “the dissolution of this Assembly is perfectly normal. So, I really agree with those who opted, not opted, but opted for the dissolution of such a House. I want us to have a proper legislature, no more left-right splits, because that makes this country uncomfortable. So really, we want a healthy Assembly.”

Similarly, Dakar resident Malick Ndione believes the dissolution was inevitable. I think it's a logical decision, insofar as to enable them to lead well, they need to have the majority in the Assembly on their side, otherwise, they can't lead. They need help and support."

Support for President Faye's decision also came from shopkeepers like Khadim Gueye, who emphasised the importance of a cooperative parliament. "We congratulate the President for dissolving the National Assembly. Without a majority, his projects won't pass. We hope for real MPs in the next elections who will address the concerns of the Senegalese people."

However, not all reactions were supportive. 

Latyr Dia, another shopkeeper, criticised the timing of the dissolution. "Perhaps this decision suits the state, but the President should have considered the concerns of the people. The MPs were democratically elected, and they should have been allowed to finish their term," he told the AFP.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, announcing the historic achievement for the West African nation in a post on X (formerly Twitter), described it as a crucial step in the country’s quest for technological independence.

“Senegal enters a new era today with the successful launch of our first satellite, GAINDESAT-1A at precisely 6:56 p.m. from the Vandenberg base in California,” Faye wrote.

“The result of 5 years of hard work by our engineers and technicians, this advance marks a major step towards our technological sovereignty,” he added.

GAINDESAT-1A was designed and built by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with the French Montpellier University Space Centre, as reported by local media RTS . The satellite was among 116 mini-satellites and CubeSats aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket during its mission from the California base.

The primary objective of the satellite is to gather crucial data for various state agencies in Senegal, including those involved in water resource management, civil aviation, and meteorology.

With this achievement, Senegal joins an exclusive group of 12 African countries that have successfully launched their own surveillance and telecommunications satellites. It also becomes the second sub-Saharan French-speaking nation, after Djibouti, to enter the space race.

In these early days, Faye's administration has conducted a series of audits to review public finances and mineral contracts, while also taking quick measures to attract capital and mitigate the effects of rising living costs. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to sustain popular appeal and stabilise the economy.

The general sentiment in Senegal is that Faye is taking his time to assess state affairs, refine policy plans, and learn the ropes of governance. Jeanne Ramier, an Africa associate at the Eurasia Group consultancy, remarked that the administration is “taking time to take stock of state affairs, refine policy plans, and learn the ropes of governance. The administration is still drafting the ‘Project’ document, which will replace [former president] Macky Sall’s Emerging Senegal Plan and has been slow to come up with and roll out concrete policies,” Semafor quotes. However, concrete policies have been slow to materialise.

One of Faye's notable economic achievements is the issuance of a $750 million Eurobond in June to meet government financing needs ahead of the start of oil and gas production this year. Following the bond sale, the government took steps to stabilise prices by reducing the costs of bread, oil, and rice, and suspending taxes and customs duties on importers. These measures were aimed at addressing the erratic price fluctuations that had strained household budgets before the 2024 election, the Africa Leadership Magazine notes.

On the international front, Faye has maintained Senegal's commitment to regional cooperation and collective security. His first foreign trip outside of Africa was to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, reinforcing Senegal’s membership in the euro-pegged CFA currency zone. Additionally, he has undertaken extensive visits to Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, emphasising Senegal's proactive stance in fostering regional stability and conflict resolution. His role as a facilitator in ECOWAS discussions with coup-affected nations highlights this commitment.

Domestically, President Faye has initiated ambitious reforms within Senegal’s judicial framework, aiming to streamline legal processes and uphold the independence of the judiciary.

Diomaye Faye secured 53.7% of the vote in the election, defeating former prime minister Amadou Ba, who garnered 36.2%. The electoral commission announced these results based on tallies from 90% of polling stations.

A Boeing 737 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people. Footage showed the aircraft on fire and passengers jumping down emergency slides. The flight was headed to Bamako, Mali, according to Africa News . The injured were being treated at a hospital and the others were taken to a hotel to rest.

Kagame's visit to Senegal

President Paul Kagame concluded a two-day visit to Senegal, where he discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He also attended a basketball game featuring Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR Basketball Club, but Rwanda was eliminated from the tournament, reports from KT Press indicate. This is Kagame's first visit to Senegal since Faye was elected in March.

Illegal fishing

The Senegalese government has taken steps to combat illegal fishing along its coastline by publishing a list of authorized fishing vessels. This initiative aims to promote transparency and combat corrupt practices in the management of national fisheries. The Maritime Executive explained the government has also called for strengthening the Maritime Fishing Code and prioritizing support for artisanal fisherfolk. IUU fishing has been found to have a significant economic impact on the country, resulting in job loss and increased poverty.

Migrants stranded in Moroccan desert

Senegal's Consul General in Morocco, Babou Sene, has denied reports of Senegalese migrants stranded in the Moroccan desert, stating that migrants are housed in reception centres and receive medical care at the Moroccan government's expense. Sene emphasized the strong hospitality and support provided to Senegalese nationals in Morocco and highlighted the exceptional relationship between Morocco and Senegal, Morocco World News reported. He also commended Morocco's efforts in providing decent living conditions for migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Library of Léopold Senghor

Senegal has bought back the library of Léopold Senghor, the first president of independent Senegal, from France to prevent it from being auctioned off, The Black World Media reported. The collection of 344 books will be transferred to Dakar, including personally inscribed volumes by influential authors. Senegal plans to incorporate the library into a museum of Senghor's life and hopes to make digital copies of his papers available to researchers. There is some disappointment that the Senegalese state had to buy back Senghor's estate from France, but it is seen as an important part of Senegal's heritage.

In recent times, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have seen their leaders overthrown and have threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS.

Amid this, Senegal stands tall as one of the few countries whose democratic credentials have withstood the test of time.

The West African country which gained independence in 1960 has a reputation for transparency in government operations and has been described as one of the most successful democratic republics on the continent.

Political system and democratic history

The president is the highest authority in Senegal. He holds Executive power. The legislative power is held by parliamentarians and the courts are in charge of the judiciary. Although all government branches are supposed to be independent, there is relatively some influence of the executive in both the legislature and the judiciary.

Senegal’s first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, after ruling for 20 years, resigned and handed over power to his then Prime Minister, Abdou Diouf in 1981. His tenure has been the longest in the history of the country. His predecessor, Abdou Diouf held his office as president from 1981 to 2000, making a total of 19 years in power. He then handed over to Abdoulaye Wade who was president for 12 years from 2000 to 2012.

Until recently when he was moved out democratically by the country’s youngest, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Macky Sall was Senegal’s president for 12 years, from 2012 to 2024, after being reelected in 2019.

The country has had a 7-year term system for presidents but that is now for five years.

Watch the interview:

Why power drunkenness won’t hold in Senegal

The country recorded history on March 24 after electing Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44 years old, as president, making him Africa’s first-ever youngest-elected president. Before this, Senghor became the first president at age 53, followed by Diouf who became president at 45, Abdoulaye Wade at 73, and Macky Sall at 50 years.

The closest to him was Diouf who was 45 years old who handed over to his opponent and called to congratulate him in 2000.

Not only is Senegal one of the pacesetters of democracy, but it also has a history where all presidents in power for long periods were there because of re-election and not because of authoritarianism or power drunkenness.

Explaining the rationale behind this, political analyst, Gabriel Baglo explained that Senegal’s population acts as a watchdog over their presidents, and the respective state institutions do their work to ensure that the president or elected government body carries out its responsibilities like it should.

According to him, despite President Faye’s age, there is no possibility of him holding on to power because the political system does not support that.

“That’s not possible in Senegal. These are people who are jealous of their democracy, and if you followed the trend up to the election, you will understand that it is difficult for a government to sit tight and refuse to leave power.  We have a very professional army and administration so it will be difficult. Some people tried, the last two leaders tried but it couldn’t work,” Baglo told GSW’s Wonder Hagan.

“Looking at what happened over the last months, I’m very confident, especially looking at the enlightenment of the population, the voters, they are the watchdogs. Even if the president makes any attempt to change or keep the power, or to change his mind, it won’t work because he will be reminded every now and then.   So that is the beauty of what is happening in Senegal. You have a very well-informed, alert population, that is watching the situation and a civil society that is very vibrant and a media that is very vibrant too so it will be very difficult that he will change his mind. It’s a very tight situation,” he added.

Speaking to GSW’s Wonder Hagan, Political Analyst Gabriel Baglo said that the electoral outcomes in Senegal are reflective of a growing political awareness among the youth in African countries.

“The young people are very aware of the geopolitical trends and these young people want to see things done differently. They want to take their destinies into their own hands. They have no complex before the West like before. So this is just a start We saw a number of young people coming to power by coup, who had very revolutionary ideas but this is the first time it was through an election,” he noted.

Baglo also noted that Faye’s victory is likely to set a precedent for other African nations, with more youth emerging as African presidents.

“I see this movement spreading to other countries in West Africa and in Africa. We can say that Senegal is a pacesetter because this is the first time we have a young elected leader. He is the youngest president elected during the first round, more than 54%, it was almost a referendum so we will say that this is unprecedented. This is a very good move, it is like the young people have taken over, and they want to see something new,” he added.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was announced the winner of the presidential election held on March 25 after winning 54% of the votes with Amadou Ba taking 35%.

His win was affirmed by the top Constitutional Council, which validated the provisional results based on a comprehensive tally of votes from all polling stations.

He appointed his ally Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister with the responsibility of overseeing his new government with 25 ministers and five junior ministers. Watch this interview:

President Faye's recent inauguration marked a generational shift in Senegalese leadership, with the appointment of Ousmane Sonko as prime minister and the formation of a predominantly male cabinet. With this, coupled with promises of reforms, the new administration intends to break away from historical reliance on external influences, particularly from former colonial power France.

“Senegal has the ambition to deepen its financial sector and expand the range of products available for financing businesses and projects. Senegal can become a benchmark financial hub in West Africa, we have to believe in it…It will be about making our formal or informal private sector, and each Senegalese, key player in a sovereign Senegal with the support of a strong and credible State. A credible state is one with a solid macroeconomic framework and available room for maneuver, capable of supporting the private sector and coping with shock in an uncertain world. Only in this way can we gradually free ourselves from the bonds of external dependence,” the new Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation, Abdourahmane Sarr said .

Since 2019, public debt has seen a notable rise, climbing to 69.1% of GDP in 2020, 73.3% in 2021, and further to 75% of GDP in 2022, the World Bank reported.

Audit of oils and gas contracts

Central to the government's agenda is the audit of oil, gas, and mining contracts, aimed at ensuring transparency and fair resource exploitation. To kick start the initiative for freedom from external dependence, President Faye announced audit as one of his first policy initiatives. In his inaugural speech , he said, "The exploitation of our natural resources, which according to the constitution belong to the people, will receive particular attention from my government. I will proceed with the disclosure of the effective ownership of extractive companies and with an audit of the mining, oil, and gas sector."

Renegotiation of contracts

Minister of Energy and Mines, Birame Souleye Diop, emphasized the need for scrutiny and hinted at potential renegotiations to better serve the interests of the Senegalese people. This will involve "publishing the contracts, carrying out a mining audit, working in the interests of the people and, if necessary, renegotiating all existing contracts," he said. This initiative has drawn attention to key players in the sector, including multinational companies like Kosmos Energy, BP, and Woodside Energy, among others. The commencement of Senegal's inaugural offshore oil venture is slated for mid-2024. Spearheaded by Woodside Energy (WDS.AX), the Sangomar oil and gas project is anticipated to yield approximately 100,000 barrels per day.

Lessons from Ghana

Senegal's aspirations for economic sovereignty draw parallels with Ghana's "Beyond Aid" vision , declared by President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2017. “It is time to build our economies that are not dependent on charity and handouts... we are not disclaiming aid, but we do want to discard a mindset of dependency… It is unhealthy for both the giver and the receiver, said Akufo-Addo,” the president said.

The Ghanaian model aimed at mobilizing domestic resources to reduce dependency on foreign aid, reflecting a broader sentiment across Africa to achieve self-sufficiency. However, in 2023, the country made a U-turn to external aid when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-year, $3 billion loan on May 17 to get the West African country out of its worst economic crisis in decades. The World Bank’s metrics highlight Ghana as one of the most indebted countries on the continent, with a debt of $58 billion representing 105% of its GDP. "We focus a lot on the external debt to international creditors, but it is important to bear in mind that most of Ghana's public debt is domestic debt held by the country's commercial banks," says Marc Raffinot, a senior lecturer at Paris Dauphine University and a development specialist.

After his ascension to the highest office of the West African nation, Faye, the new president, appointed 49-year-old Ousmane Sonko as prime minister.

Sonko, the man on whose political influence he relied to clinch victory in an election that had the whole world watching.

Senegal's democratic journey

The political background of Senegal is characterised by a long history of democratic governance amid various challenges. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Senegal has maintained a relatively stable political environment compared to many other African nations.

The country has a multi-party system, with the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and the Alliance for the Republic (APR) as key political players. However, the political landscape has also been marked by political unrest, such as the 2012 election , which saw violent protests and allegations of electoral fraud.

The 2024 election in Senegal was also controversial as it was originally postponed from February to December 2024, leading to deadly protests. However, the Constitutional Council overruled the postponement, and the election was held on March 24.

The events leading up to the election were marked by arbitrary arrests of opposition figures like the current president and prime minister Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye and Ousmane Sonko respectively, excessive use of force by security forces, and concerns over human rights violations.

Leadership under Macky Sall

During the Macky Sall era, Senegal experienced notable economic growth and infrastructure development. Under his leadership, the country's GDP consistently expanded, averaging around 6% annually .

While infrastructural development was a priority under the leadership of Sall, there were struggles among the Senegalese population and also concerns about political freedoms and human rights, with critics accusing the government of stifling dissent and restricting freedom of expression .

"Admittedly, Macky Sall has invested several billion CFA francs in his Senegal Emergent Plan and has built roads, hospitals, new universities and transport infrastructure, but these projects do not sufficiently meet the real needs of the Senegalese population," Mamadou Samba Hane, an economics professor at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar told DW .

How does Sonko come into the picture?

Ousmane Sonko got into the Senegal political scene in 2016 after he blew the cover over illegal offshore tax deals in the country after working as a tax inspector for 15 years.

Sonko revealed the utilisation of offshore tax havens , notably a $50 million mineral sand processing plant employed by a Canadian company to evade $8.9 million in taxes.

The exposé immediately cost him his job but he didn't stop there. He wrote a non-fiction book titled Pétrole et gaz au Sénégal to throw more light on his findings in 2018.

Fast-forward to 2019, Sonko contested the presidential election in Senegal on the ticket of his party PASTEF. He surprisingly came in third with 15% of the total votes cast. This move announced his formidable presence in Senegalese politics.

Sonko's journey to prime minister was fraught with various instances of arrests over a rape allegation in 2021 and a subversive individual in 2023.

He faced legal challenges that barred him from running in the elections . Bassirou Diomaye Faye stepped in to replace him as the leading figure of the main opposition coalition.

What is expected of Sonko?

Ousmane Sonko's young age is a fresh start for many Senegalese who believe that the country needs a young and vibrant mind to think and decide from the perspective of a nation whose significant part of the population is under the age of 25.

Sonko's commitment to fulfilling every promise given to the Senegalese populace echoed during his acceptance speech as prime minister on April 2, 2024. "We will spare no effort to achieve the goals we have promised the people,” he said .

Faye’s main rival, ruling party candidate Amadou Ba had already conceded defeat a day after the elections held on March 24.

"Considering the trends of the presidential election results and awaiting the official declaration, I congratulate the president Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye on his victory in the first round," Ba said in a statement.

Faye served over 11 months in jail for a social media post that the government considered subversive.

After he was released from prison by President Macky Sall on 14 March, he made his first public appearance as a presidential contender a day after his release from jail on 15 March 2024

During the presidential campaign, Faye's endorsement by Ousmane Sonko, the 2019 presidential candidate and founder of PASTEF, propelled his candidacy forward, igniting a groundswell of support among Senegal's youth

He promised to create jobs and campaigned strongly against corruption. "In electing me, the Senegalese people have decided on a break with a past... I promise to govern with humility and transparency," Faye told journalists in his first public appearance after the election.

Faye, a political newcomer who is set to become the fifth president of Senegal when he is sworn in on April 2, 2024, is also the youngest head of state in the history of the West African nation and the youngest democratically elected leader in the history of Africa.