President Faye officially terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his entire cabinet on the evening of Friday, May 22. The dramatic announcement, broadcast nationwide on television, came directly from Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary-General of the Presidency. A presidential decree stipulates that the outgoing ministers are now tasked with managing “current affairs” until a new government is appointed.
from political mentor to government rival
This momentous decision signals a profound rift between the two political figures who had jointly ascended to power in 2024. Ousmane Sonko, having been legally barred from contesting the presidential election due to a judicial conviction, had famously endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the substitute candidate to challenge then-incumbent President Macky Sall.
Fueled by immense popularity among Senegal’s youth and a compelling pan-Africanist message, Sonko played a pivotal role in securing the new administration’s electoral triumph. However, over recent months, the growing friction between the head of state and his erstwhile political mentor had become increasingly apparent.
sonko’s immediate reaction
Moments after the news of his dismissal broke, Ousmane Sonko took to Facebook, posting a defiant message: “Alhamdoulillah. This evening I will sleep with a light heart.”
Immediately following his statement, numerous videos circulated across social media platforms, depicting throngs of his supporters converging on his residence in Dakar, passionately chanting his name in solidarity.
Sonko’s unexpected departure introduces a period of significant political uncertainty for Senegal, particularly given that his party has held a dominant majority in the National Assembly since the legislative elections in November 2024.