What began as an unprecedented political alliance in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa proved to be unsustainable. In Senegal, the formidable partnership between Ousmane Sonko, the mentor, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his protégé and a staunch opponent of former President Macky Sall, which propelled them to power in the 2024 presidential election, dramatically unraveled into an open conflict on the night of May 22, 2026.

On Friday, May 22, shortly before 10 PM, the nation watched as Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary General of the Presidency, delivered a brief address from the Palais de la République in Dakar via Radiotélévision sénégalaise (RTS). He announced the immediate dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a decision that simultaneously terminated the mandates of all government ministers.

“By decree N°2026-1128 of May 22, 2026, the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has terminated the functions of Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state, members of the government. The outgoing government members are tasked with managing current affairs,” Oumar Samba Ba stated.

Following the announcement of his removal, Ousmane Sonko posted on Facebook, simply stating: “Tonight, I will sleep with a light heart.”

Just hours prior, during a session at the National Assembly where he addressed questions from deputies, Sonko had declared, “I am not a Prime Minister who blindly obeys and assents to everything …”

Tensions between the two executive leaders, who came to power in 2024, had visibly escalated in recent months, with their political disagreements becoming increasingly public. Weeks earlier, during an engagement with national media, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had notably indicated his prerogative to “terminate his Prime Minister’s functions the moment he lost confidence in him.” That critical threshold was evidently crossed last night.

The political landscape in Senegal now faces an uncertain future, especially given that the next significant electoral milestones—local elections—are not scheduled until 2027, followed by the next presidential contest in 2029.