President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has officially terminated the tenure of his Prime Minister and former political mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire government, through a decree issued on Friday evening. This significant political shift follows a period of escalating tensions between the two prominent figures.

The presidential decree, publicly announced on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency, explicitly stated that President Faye “has ended the duties of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were members of the government.”

The statement further clarified that “the members of the outgoing government are instructed to manage current affairs,” ensuring continuity in state administration during this transition period.

Ousmane Sonko, a formidable opponent during the presidency of Macky Sall (2012-2024), was barred from participating in the February 2024 presidential election. This disqualification stemmed from a defamation conviction that led to the loss of his civil rights, sparking widespread popular protests against President Sall and the contentious possibility of him seeking a third term.

In the wake of his own electoral exclusion, Mr. Sonko then endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his presidential successor. Since President Faye’s election, however, the relationship between the head of state and his charismatic former mentor, whose considerable influence was instrumental in propelling their political alliance to power, has been marked by growing discord.

Prior to the 2024 presidential contest, and following months of a political standoff with Macky Sall’s administration, Ousmane Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric resonated deeply, igniting passionate enthusiasm among Senegal’s disillusioned youth.

Reacting swiftly to the announcement, Mr. Sonko posted on his Facebook account, stating, “Alhamdoulillah. Ce soir je dormirai le cœur léger à la cité Keur Gorgui,” referring to the Dakar district where his residence is located. This translates to, “Praise be to God. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in Cité Keur Gorgui.”

Shortly after the news of his dismissal from government broke, social media platforms were flooded with videos depicting Sonko’s supporters converging on his Cité Keur Gorgui home, chanting his name in a show of solidarity.

For several months, the underlying friction between the head of state and the head of government had become increasingly apparent, casting significant doubt on the viability of their continued collaboration.

Notably, Mr. Sonko’s political party secured a dominant position in the Senegalese National Assembly, having achieved an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections held in November 2024.