The Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, concluded the tenure of his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire cabinet, on the evening of Friday, May 22.

This pivotal announcement was broadcast on national television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency. According to the presidential decree, the departing ministers have been tasked with overseeing “current administrative matters” until a new government is formed.

From political confidant to governmental rival

This decision signifies a dramatic divergence between the two influential figures who jointly ascended to power in 2024. Ousmane Sonko, having been legally barred from participating in the presidential election, had previously endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the substitute candidate to challenge the then-incumbent President Macky Sall.

Fueled by considerable popularity among Senegal’s youth and a compelling pan-Africanist message, Sonko played a crucial role in securing the new administration’s electoral triumph. His influence in West Africa Sahel politics was undeniable.

However, over recent months, the underlying tensions between the nation’s head of state and his former political mentor had grown increasingly apparent, hinting at the current Senegal political crisis.

Sonko’s immediate public response

Mere moments after the news of his dismissal broke, Ousmane Sonko took to Facebook to share his immediate thoughts: “Alhamdoulillah. Ce soir je dormirai le cœur léger” (Praise be to God. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart).

Subsequently, numerous videos circulated across social media platforms, depicting throngs of supporters converging on his residence in Dakar, passionately chanting his name.

The departure of Sonko introduces a period of significant political fluidity and uncertainty within Senegal, particularly given that his political party maintained a substantial majority in the National Assembly following the legislative elections held in November 2024. This development is keenly watched across Sahel politics today.