The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his entire government on Friday evening through a presidential decree. This decisive move follows months of escalating tensions between the two leaders.

In a formal statement broadcast on national television, Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary-General of the Presidency, announced that President Faye “has ended the duties of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and state secretaries serving in the government.” The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle only current affairs until a new administration is formed.

Ousmane Sonko, once a prominent opposition figure against former President Macky Sall, was barred from running in the February 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civic rights. The decision sparked widespread protests against Macky Sall’s potential bid for a third term.

Sonko later endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement in the election. However, since Faye’s victory, the relationship between the president and his former mentor has deteriorated significantly. The charismatic Sonko wielded immense influence during their joint campaign, contributing to their electoral success.

Known for his fiery panafricanist rhetoric, Sonko galvanized Senegal’s disillusioned youth ahead of the 2024 election, leading a prolonged standoff with the administration of Macky Sall.

Sonko took to Facebook to share his reaction: “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully in Keur Gorgui,” referring to his residence in Dakar’s Keur Gorgui district. Shortly after the announcement, videos surfaced showing his supporters gathering outside his home, chanting his name in defiance.

Tensions between the head of state and the head of government had been steadily worsening for months, making their continued collaboration appear increasingly unlikely.

Sonko’s political party holds a dominant majority in Senegal’s National Assembly after securing a landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.