Senegal political tensions: sonko’s new role amid diomaye faye’s decisions

The Diomaye Faye-Ousmane Sonko partnership lasted only two years. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has now removed Sonko from the Prime Minister’s position. Now serving as President of the National Assembly, Sonko has also been reaffirmed as head of the Pastef, the majority party in Parliament but currently absent from the government. How did this rift develop? Can the two leaders coexist despite these tensions? And could these political conflicts overshadow the pressing needs of Senegalese citizens?

Former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left) and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) at the presidential palace in Dakar on October 16, 2025.

Panelists include:

  • Abdoulaye Tine, Minister-Counselor and Spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic.
  • Amadou Ba, Former Minister of Culture, Member of Parliament, and Secretary General in charge of Communication for Pastef.
  • Babacar Ndiaye, Political Analyst and Director of Research at the Wathi think tank.