On Monday, Senegal’s newly appointed Prime Minister unveiled the cabinet reshuffle. Hours earlier, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef-Les Patriotes party, declared that none of its members would be included in the new government.

This move formalized the political rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally Sonko, cementing the end of a once-powerful partnership.

The split has left many Senegalese students bewildered, particularly at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, where the duo had once symbolized hope for radical change.

Deep disappointment among young supporters

Under the shade of trees near the Faculty of Arts, Amath Segnane reviews his notes. Like many young voters, he had placed immense faith in the alliance between Faye and Sonko.

With a heavy heart, he admits, “They sold us the idea that Diomaye and Sonko were inseparable. They made us believe they trusted each other completely, ready to rebuild this country together. Now that their partnership has collapsed, it’s crushing.”

For him, the breakdown challenges the very narrative of unity that propelled their political rise.

Some argue the split was inevitable

Moments before his economics lecture, Mamadou Bah from the Faculty of Economics and Management shares his perspective. He believes the rupture was long overdue.

“For a while, the former Prime Minister disregarded presidential authority. He acted as if he were above the head of state. His removal—and the eventual split—were only a matter of time. I stand firmly with President Faye,” he states.

Despite his disappointment, he acknowledges the president’s right to reclaim executive control.

Skepticism and uncertainty about the future

Not everyone accepts the finality of the rift. Omar Sarr, an Arabic studies student, refuses to believe the partnership is permanently broken.

“Without Sonko, Diomaye would never have reached the presidency. They built this journey together for years, culminating in electoral victory. Now, opinions are split: some side with Faye, others with Sonko. I refuse to accept this as a divorce,” he insists.

Today, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye governs without the backing of the majority party, Pastef-Les Patriotes, while Ousmane Sonko, now Speaker of the National Assembly, leads the opposition. This new political landscape fuels ongoing debates across Senegalese society.