Senegal’s new government: five crucial takeaways

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye unveiled the new cabinet composition late Monday evening. Ten days after dismissing former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the reshuffled team now faces the challenge of steering Senegal through a severe debt crisis while steadfastly resisting any debt restructuring proposals.

Led by the newly appointed Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Amine Mohamed Lo, the administration comprises 30 members—26 ministers and four deputy ministers. Notably, only four women hold positions, and none are assigned to key sovereignty ministries.

The opposition PASTEF (Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity) has boycotted the new government, citing fundamental disagreements with the administration. Meanwhile, the parliamentary majority remains unconvinced, as underscored by Sonko, who now heads the National Assembly.

A cabinet without parliamentary backing

Hours before the cabinet list was announced, PASTEF issued a statement declaring its refusal to participate, citing deep ideological rifts with President Faye’s government.

Several prominent PASTEF figures have exited the administration, including Birame Souley Diop (Energy), Yacine Fall (Justice), Amadou Ba (Culture), Maïmouna Gueye (Family and Social Solidarity), Ndeye Khady Gueye (Sports and Youth), and Olivier Boucal (Civil Service).

Despite PASTEF’s boycott, some former party members remain in the new cabinet. Balla Moussa Fofana (Urban Planning) and Yancoba Diémé (formerly Transportation, now Defense) have retained their roles. Ibrahima Sy remains at the helm of Health, while Cheikh Diba, a PASTEF member, has been promoted to oversee Finance, Economy, and Planning.

New additions from PASTEF include Cheikh Tidiane Dieye (Sanitation), Déthie Fall (Infrastructure), Moustapha Guirassy (National Education), Mamadou Lamine Dianté (Civil Service), and Boubacar Camara (Higher Education, Research, and Innovation). The pro-government Coalition Diomaye has also secured six ministerial positions, with El Hadj Abdourahmane Diouf appointed to Energy and Petroleum.

The persistent underrepresentation of women

The new cabinet, with 30 members, includes just four women—a decline from the previous administration, which had five women in a 31-member team. Only three hold full ministerial portfolios, while one serves as a deputy minister.

The women appointed are Marie Angélique Mame Selbé Diouf (Family, Social Action, and Solidarity), Djirèye Clotilde Coly (Sports and Youth), Ami Mara (Fisheries and Maritime Economy), and Mame Coumba Diop (Culture and Heritage, attached to the Culture Ministry).

Women’s rights advocates have criticized the cabinet’s gender imbalance. Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Senegal branch argued that the selection fails to reflect women’s demographic weight or their expertise in critical sectors. She urged the government to implement corrective measures to enhance women’s participation in decision-making.

Since May 2010, Senegal has had a law mandating absolute gender parity in elective positions. However, its application remains limited to elected roles within institutions, excluding ministerial appointments.

Debt crisis and IMF negotiations loom large

Senegal is grappling with a crippling debt crisis, including a hidden debt exceeding $7 billion, which the government has thus far resisted restructuring. This issue has been a flashpoint in discussions between President Faye and Sonko during the cabinet formation process.

Economist Amath Ndiaye of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar suggests the new administration is likely to adopt a fresh approach to debt management. He highlights the economic downturn, rising unemployment, and modest growth projections of 2.2% to 2.5% for 2026, which weaken the country’s economic outlook.

Ndiaye emphasizes the need for negotiations with the IMF, noting that the previous government’s rigid interpretation of sovereignty hindered progress. He acknowledges the administration’s difficult position: balancing IMF agreements to restructure debt sustainably while addressing social demands for lower living costs, unemployment, and improved public services.

The key challenge, he says, lies in reconciling these seemingly opposing priorities simultaneously.

An unprecedented political landscape

Moussa Diaw, a political science professor at the University of Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis, describes the current situation as “unprecedented in Senegal.” The rift between the parliamentary majority, which secured victory in the November 2024 legislative elections, and the President—who was supported by the same party—has created a unique political dynamic.

Diaw attributes this divide to divergent views on the political direction needed to address accountability, debt resolution, and justice for the over 80 young Senegalese killed during protests between 2021 and 2024.

He explains that the lack of consensus has led to a de facto cohabitation: a President without a majority attempting to govern while expanding alliances, and a parliament dominated by PASTEF, which set conditions for participation that were not met. This has resulted in a delicate cohabitation scenario.

Diaw warns that both the presidency and the National Assembly must act responsibly to prevent institutional gridlock. He stresses that Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo’s government lacks maneuvering room due to its lack of a majority, making it vulnerable to parliamentary obstruction.

The politologue underscores the need for dialogue and courage to prioritize Senegal’s higher interests over political ambitions, ensuring the country’s institutions function smoothly and avoiding conflict at the highest levels.

Constitutional clarity in power-sharing

Diaw highlights that the presidency and the National Assembly must each fulfill their constitutional roles while placing national interests above partisan considerations.

He notes that both institutions are vital for Senegal’s stability and must exercise their prerogatives responsibly to prevent crises. The presidency and parliament each have distinct constitutional mandates, and their exercise should reflect a commitment to the nation’s interests.

Diaw concludes that fostering concertation, demonstrating courage, and prioritizing Senegal’s interests will be essential for the President and the parliamentary leader to steer the country through its economic and political challenges without succumbing to divisive politics.