Ousmane Sonko, former Prime Minister of Senegal and leader of the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party, has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding his abrupt departure from the head of government. In a detailed account, he recounted his final exchanges with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye before his dismissal.
Key meeting following parliamentary address
Sonko described May 25 as a pivotal day, when he was summoned by the President shortly after delivering a speech in the National Assembly. According to his version of events, the Head of State expressed concerns that certain statements made in the parliamentary session had intensified existing tensions within the executive branch.
The discussion, he claimed, unfolded in a typical diplomatic setting before the inevitable conclusion: an end to their collaboration at the highest level of government.
Premature speculation about resignation
The former Prime Minister maintained that he had previously raised the possibility of leaving the government after the legislative elections. He stated he had proposed two potential resolutions to the President: either returning to his parliamentary duties to enable the appointment of a new Prime Minister, or engaging in further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable political solution.
However, he asserted that the President had consistently dismissed this idea until their final meeting.
Signs of strain in the executive partnership
Sonko revealed that he had noticed growing friction between the two leaders for weeks. He claimed to have alerted the President during multiple encounters, though no concrete plans were discussed regarding their eventual separation during their last discussion.
The former Prime Minister also insisted he refused to endorse any political narrative portraying his removal as a consensual transition.
Sudden dismissal announced
According to Sonko, the President had indicated plans to resume talks after a scheduled visit to the Archbishop of Dakar for Pentecost celebrations. Yet, by that evening, he received a formal notification of his dismissal.
Minutes later, the official announcement was made public by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, confirming his exit from the government.
A new political phase begins
With his return to the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in his political career. This development also signifies a significant shift in the relationship between the former Prime Minister and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—a partnership that had previously driven Senegal’s political transition. Observers continue to monitor the evolving power dynamics within the Senegalese government, as Sonko’s account adds another layer to the unfolding narrative.