Senegal President fires prime minister amid growing rift

Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has dismissed Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, and dissolved the government, deepening political tensions in the debt-burdened West African nation.

The announcement was made on state television on Friday through a presidential decree read by presidential aide, Oumar Samba Ba, who confirmed that President Faye had ended Sonko’s duties along with those of all ministers and secretaries of state serving in government.

The move follows months of strained relations between the two leaders, whose alliance had swept the Pastef party to victory in the March 2024 presidential elections, according to Africanews.

President Faye rose to power with strong backing from Mr Sonko, who was widely regarded as the political force behind the campaign but was barred from contesting the presidency due to a defamation conviction.

The pair had campaigned on promises of sweeping political reforms, anti-corruption measures and improved governance, earning massive support from Senegal’s youth and reform-minded voters.

Despite Sonko’s popularity and influence, the Senegalese constitution grants the president authority to dismiss the prime minister through a decree.

Relations between the two leaders reportedly deteriorated in recent months, with Mr Sonko publicly criticising President Faye over what he described as weak leadership and a lack of support against political attacks.

Earlier in July, Sonko accused the president of failing to defend him from critics during a heated address to Pastef supporters.

Sonko had built a loyal following through his pan-Africanist message and criticism of former colonial power France, positions that resonated strongly with many young Senegalese voters.

The dismissal is expected to intensify political uncertainty in Senegal at a time when the country faces mounting economic and governance challenges.

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