Rivalités politiques, crise économique : au Sénégal, la lune de miel est terminée entre Sonko et Faye

Limogé de son poste par le président Faye, le Premier ministre, Ousmane Sonko vient de se faire élire à la tête de l’Assemblée nationale. Un poste qui le désigne comme rival numéro un du chef de l’État.

The once inseparable political duo, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, now stand as rivals in Senegal. Their shared journey, encapsulated by the 2024 Senegalese presidential campaign slogan in Wolof, “Diomaye Moy Sonko” (“Diomaye is Sonko”), once signified an unshakeable bond. This political honeymoon, however, concluded swiftly after their collective effort successfully unseated former President Macky Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024. The intricate dynamics of political competition, the demanding realities of governance, and Senegal’s challenging economic landscape ultimately led to the dissolution of their powerful partnership.

Following his dismissal as Prime Minister by President Faye on May 22, Sonko swiftly reclaimed his parliamentary seat within the National Assembly. Subsequently, the influential political figure was elected as its Speaker. This new esteemed position now establishes him as the second-highest authority in the Senegalese state, constitutionally designated as President Faye’s successor, yet paradoxically, also his foremost political adversary.