Senegal president sacks prime minister Ousmane Sonko amid political tensions
The Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his entire government on Friday evening through a presidential decree. The announcement followed months of escalating tensions between the two leaders.
In a televised address, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Oumar Samba Ba, declared that the president had “ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and state secretaries who make up the government.” The outgoing officials have been tasked with handling only current affairs until further notice.
From opposition leader to prime minister
Ousmane Sonko rose to prominence as a fierce critic of former President Macky Sall, who governed Senegal from 2012 to 2024. Sonko was barred from participating in the February 2024 presidential election after a defamation conviction stripped him of his civil rights. This sparked widespread protests against President Sall’s potential bid for a third term.
Facing electoral disqualification, Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement. Since Faye’s election, however, the dynamic between the two men has deteriorated significantly. Once close allies, their relationship has grown increasingly strained, despite Sonko’s pivotal role in propelling Faye to power.
Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric resonated deeply with Senegal’s disillusioned youth, particularly as the 2024 presidential race approached. His months-long confrontation with the Sall administration galvanized public support and solidified his reputation as a charismatic opposition figure.
Sonko’s immediate reaction and public response
Within minutes of the announcement, Sonko took to Facebook to express relief, stating, “Alhamdoulillah. Tonight, I will sleep peacefully at home in Keur Gorgui,” a neighborhood in Dakar where he resides.
Social media footage captured crowds of supporters flocking to Sonko’s residence, chanting his name in defiance of the government’s decision. The groundswell of public backing underscores the enduring influence Sonko wields among his followers.
The rift between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko has been apparent for months, casting doubt on the feasibility of their continued cooperation. The situation is further complicated by Sonko’s party’s commanding majority in Senegal’s National Assembly, following its landslide victory in the November 2024 legislative elections.
© SEYLLOU, AFP – Former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in Dakar on September 26, 2024