President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has unveiled a new government in Senegal, notably including several prominent figures from Pastef, the party led by former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. This comes despite Sonko’s public declaration that his political formation would boycott the new administration, creating an intriguing dynamic within the nation’s leadership.
On Monday, President Faye formally appointed the members of his new cabinet. While the administration features individuals affiliated with Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party and its allies, this development unfolds against the backdrop of Sonko’s explicit statement precluding his party’s involvement.
This governmental announcement follows by approximately ten days President Faye’s decision, himself a member of Pastef, to dismiss Ousmane Sonko from his previous role. Sonko has since assumed the significant position of President of the National Assembly.
The political alliance between President Faye and Ousmane Sonko has fractured after months of escalating tensions. This separation has plunged Senegal into a period of heightened political uncertainty, compounding the country’s ongoing severe financial challenges.
Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô has stepped in to replace Ousmane Sonko. On Monday, Lô presented a list of 30 ministers for the new government. Notably, this list revealed the absence of several key figures from the ruling Pastef party who had served in the previous administration.
Just moments before the cabinet list was made public, Ousmane Sonko, as the leader of Pastef, issued a statement via his social media channels, confirming that his party would not be joining the new government.
Deepening Disagreement
Sonko’s official statement detailed a “lengthy discussion” held that morning between himself, in his capacity as Pastef President, and the President of the Republic. While acknowledging certain areas of agreement, the communiqué underscored significant “points of disagreement,” particularly concerning the majority party’s influence and function within the executive framework.
The statement further elaborated that following a report to the party’s internal bodies, fresh proposals were submitted to the President, which did not receive a favorable response. Consequently, the communiqué definitively stated: “PASTEF – Les Patriotes will not participate in the upcoming government and will not have any ministers representing it.”
Despite Pastef’s official stance, the announced cabinet list surprisingly included several lesser-known allies and members of Sonko’s party. Among them are Moussa Bala Fofana, appointed Minister of Urban Planning, and Yankhoba Diémé, who will oversee the Armed Forces portfolio.
President Faye also opted to retain several ministers from the previous administration. These reappointments include Cheikh Diba as Minister of Finance, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy for Education, and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye for Sanitation.
Amadou Al Aminou Lô, the newly appointed Prime Minister, affirmed that the formation of the new government followed “customary consultations with all relevant individuals,” including Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the Pastef party.
During the live broadcast of the cabinet list on the national public channel, RTS, Prime Minister Lô further stated that “the President of the Republic wishes to reiterate that, under all circumstances, a statesman must ensure that the homeland and the Republic always take precedence over all partisan considerations.”
A New Political Chapter
This political maneuver marks a significant turning point following the dissolution of the long-standing partnership between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. The duo, who were close allies and triumphed in the March 2024 presidential election under the popular Wolof slogan “Sonko mooy Diomaye” (Sonko is Diomaye), are now clearly at odds.
However, noticeable disagreements between the two leaders have become increasingly apparent over recent months, culminating in their unavoidable split following Ousmane Sonko’s dismissal in late May. Sonko, who remains the undisputed leader of their party and commands a significant majority in the National Assembly, has since been comfortably elected as President of Parliament.
Ousmane Sonko, having been disqualified from running for the presidency due to a defamation conviction, had famously endorsed his close confidant, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to take his place in the electoral race. Despite this initial solidarity, internal differences subsequently emerged between them.
The first signs of strain became evident in July 2025 when Sonko, then serving as Prime Minister, openly criticized President Faye, pointing to a “problem of authority” within the nation. More recently, in early May, President Faye publicly voiced his disapproval of his former Prime Minister’s “excessive personalization” of power within the ruling party.