Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sacks Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Dissolves Government

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has removed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from his post and dissolved the entire government. A presidential aide broadcast the decree, stating that Faye had "ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko... and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government."

Sonko, a figure with significant youth support, responded on social media, indicating he would "sleep with a light heart." The dismissal occurs as Senegal navigates considerable economic strain, with public debt reaching 132% of its Gross Domestic Product, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The action follows a parliamentary session on Tuesday where the Prime Minister openly criticised President Faye. Faye's ascendancy to the presidency was largely propelled by Sonko's popularity, particularly after Sonko was barred from the 2024 elections due to a defamation conviction. Despite this, Sonko endorsed Faye's successful presidential bid, with both men winning the election just days after their release from prison.

Tensions between the two leaders have been evident for several months. Reports suggest Faye had criticised Sonko's "excessive personalisation" within the ruling Pastef party, while Sonko accused the President of "failure of leadership" for not defending him against critics. Following the announcement, several hundred students protested in Dakar, the capital, to express their support for Sonko.