The key points
- Dismissal: Ousmane Sonko was removed from the Prime Minister position on May 22, 2026 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
- Threat: On July 12, 2026 in Mbacké, Sonko announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô’s government
- Support: Ten of the sixteen mayors in Mbour department publicly backed President Faye on July 12
- Party launch: President Faye will hold the founding congress of his new party on August 8, 2026 at Dakar Arena
Confrontational speech in Touba-Mbacké
The political crisis in Senegal has reached a new intensity. Speaking at a rally in Mbacké on July 12, Ousmane Sonko—now President of the National Assembly—delivered a scathing critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his administration. The Pastef leader accused the government of abandoning the sovereign renegotiation of oil, gas, and mining contracts, a central promise of the ruling coalition.
In a widely shared speech posted online the following day, Sonko condemned what he called a betrayal of the Pastef project and highlighted corruption within state institutions. His warning was clear: he intends to file a no-confidence motion to bring down the government of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, who was appointed Prime Minister on May 25 through a presidential decree.
Political rift deepens since May
This confrontation is the latest chapter in a growing political divide. On May 22, 2026, President Faye abruptly dismissed Sonko from the premiership, dismantling the entire government. The move stunned observers, as the two men had been seen as the twin pillars of the Pastef movement since the March 2024 presidential election.
Three days later, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô took over as Prime Minister. Sonko, meanwhile, was elevated to President of the National Assembly—a strategic but less direct role in government. Far from stepping back, the former Prime Minister has used this platform to intensify his criticism and maintain pressure on the executive.
Mayors rally behind President Faye
While Sonko escalates his offensive, President Faye is shoring up local support. On July 12—the same day as the Mbacké rally—ten of the sixteen mayors in Mbour department publicly declared their allegiance to the head of state. This show of strength comes as Faye works to build his own political base, distinct from the original Pastef.
The founding congress of his new party is scheduled for August 8, 2026 at Dakar Arena. This event signals the President’s determination to break free from Sonko’s influence and the party that once propelled both men to power.
A multi-front political battle
Sonko’s criticism extends beyond mining and petroleum contracts. He also attacked the Constitutional Council’s seven sages for invalidating a constitutional revision, directly implicating President Faye in the decision. The tone is one of outright opposition, despite both men originating from the same political movement.
Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô has not stayed silent. Responding on social media, he accused Sonko of politicizing patriotism, highlighting the government’s resolve not to be destabilized.
Senegal’s evolving political landscape
With a population of 18 million, Senegal sits on Africa’s westernmost tip. A historic political shift occurred in March 2024 when Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected president, backed by the Pastef movement and its leader, Ousmane Sonko. Faye had promised to end the practices of the previous regime and pursue sovereign management of natural resources, particularly the oil and gas reserves discovered off Dakar’s coast.
Mbacké, where the July 12 rally took place, is a religious city in the Diourbel region and the heart of Senegal’s Mouride brotherhood, a powerful Sufi order. Nearby Touba, the spiritual capital of the Mourides, is a critical electoral battleground. Sonko’s presence in this strategic area is deliberate: he aims to solidify his base where President Faye is also seeking to expand his influence.
Can a no-confidence motion succeed?
The threat of a no-confidence motion is not an empty gesture. As President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko holds procedural tools to initiate such a move. The real question is whether he can secure the required majority to topple the government. While the Pastef holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly following legislative elections, it remains unclear how many deputies will follow Sonko in opposing a president from their own movement.
The power struggle between the two leaders continues, with the renegotiation of contracts with multinational corporations and the future political direction of post-transition Senegal hanging in the balance. The August 8 launch of Faye’s new party could mark a decisive turning point in a crisis that is fracturing the camp that once championed change.