Senegal’s Power Partnership Unravels as Faye and Sonko Part Ways

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, ending a close political alliance that brought them to power in 2024. The dismissal follows growing tensions between the two leaders. Recent electoral reforms have restored Sonko’s eligibility to run for office, potentially paving the way for a presidential bid in 2029 or a move to lead parliament.

In a dramatic turn of events in Senegal’s political landscape, the close partnership between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko appears to have come to an end after the president dismissed his longtime ally from government.
The dismissal, announced on May 22, 2026, marks a significant shift in a relationship that helped reshape Senegalese politics. Just two years earlier, the pair had celebrated a historic electoral victory after defeating former prime minister Amadou Ba, the candidate backed by then-President Macky Sall, in the 2024 presidential election.
Their alliance had been forged long before politics brought them national prominence. Both men previously worked as tax inspectors and developed a friendship that later evolved into one of the most influential political partnerships in Senegal’s recent history.
Sonko, a charismatic opposition figure with strong support among young voters, had originally intended to contest the 2024 presidential election himself. However, a defamation conviction barred him from running, forcing him to seek an alternative strategy. He ultimately endorsed his deputy and trusted ally, Faye, as the candidate of their political movement.
The decision proved successful. Faye secured victory in the first round of voting with just over 54 percent of the vote, ending years of political dominance by the establishment and ushering in a new era for Senegalese politics.
Shortly after taking office in April 2024, President Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister, a move widely interpreted as recognition of Sonko’s role in the electoral victory and a demonstration of mutual trust between the two leaders.
Their political influence expanded further in September 2024 when President Faye dissolved parliament, which at the time was dominated by supporters of former President Sall. New legislative elections were held in November, and the ruling party, PASTEF, won a commanding 130 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly, giving it control of approximately 78 percent of parliament.
That overwhelming majority later enabled the government to pursue significant electoral reforms. In April 2026, lawmakers approved amendments to Articles 29 and 30 of Senegal’s electoral code. The reforms altered rules governing political eligibility and voting rights for individuals previously removed from the electoral register because of criminal convictions.
A total of 128 lawmakers voted in favour of the changes, while only 11 opposed them. The amendments established that certain disqualifications would be temporary rather than permanent, meaning affected individuals could eventually regain both voting rights and eligibility to seek elected office.
Many observers interpreted the reform as potentially benefiting Sonko, whose previous conviction had prevented him from contesting the 2024 presidential race. After President Faye signed the legislation into law in early May 2026, the legal pathway was opened for Sonko to potentially run in future elections, including the presidential contest expected in 2029.
Despite the change in the law, Sonko cannot immediately return to parliament. He resigned from his parliamentary seat in December 2024, explaining at the time that he preferred to focus on his duties as prime minister rather than serve simultaneously as head of government and leader of the ruling party within the legislature.
Political speculation intensified further when the Speaker of Parliament, El Malick Ndiaye, resigned on May 24, 2026. The unexpected departure created a vacancy in one of the country’s most powerful political offices and immediately fuelled discussions about whether Sonko might seek the position.
Many analysts now view the parliamentary speakership as a potential route for Sonko to maintain a prominent role in national politics following his dismissal from government.
Signs of tension between Faye and Sonko had emerged in recent months. Although both leaders publicly maintained their partnership, differences appeared to grow over economic management and governance issues.
On May 4, President Faye stated publicly that Sonko would remain prime minister as long as he continued to perform his duties effectively. However, he also warned that any action contrary to Senegal’s interests could result in dismissal. The remarks were widely interpreted as evidence of growing strain within the administration.
Sonko had meanwhile criticised aspects of the government’s handling of Senegal’s economic challenges, highlighting concerns over the country’s financial situation and policy direction. Those criticisms appeared to deepen speculation about disagreements at the highest levels of government.
Following his removal from office, Sonko offered only a brief reaction, saying he would “sleep lighthearted,” without elaborating on his future political plans or commenting directly on the reasons for his dismissal.
The separation of the two leaders marks a significant moment in Senegal’s political evolution. What began as a partnership built on friendship, shared political ambitions and a successful campaign for change has now entered an uncertain new phase.
Whether Sonko pursues the parliamentary speakership, prepares for a future presidential bid, or charts an entirely different political course remains unclear. For now, Senegal’s political class and citizens alike are closely watching developments, aware that the next moves by both Faye and Sonko could shape the country’s political future for years to come.