Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the entire government on Friday, a significant political maneuver that intensifies uncertainty for a nation already grappling with a severe debt crisis and stalled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The announcement, made via a statement read on state media by the presidency’s secretary-general, Oumar Samba Ba, confirmed the dismissal of all ministers. The outgoing government has been tasked with managing daily affairs.
Months of Friction Culminate in Dismissal
This decision follows months of escalating tensions between President Faye and his former ally, Prime Minister Sonko. Sonko, a charismatic leader with a substantial youth following, had supported Faye’s successful 2024 presidential bid after being disqualified from running himself due to a defamation conviction.
Sonko acknowledged the development in a social media post, stating, “Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood,” referencing his residence.
Economic Pressures Mount
The political upheaval occurs as Senegal faces significant economic challenges. The IMF previously froze a $1.8 billion lending program after discovering misreported debt figures, which pushed the country’s end-2024 debt level to an alarming 132% of its economic output.
Faye’s action raises concerns about further delays in securing a new agreement with the IMF, an outcome considered crucial for economic recovery.
Earlier on Friday, before Sonko’s dismissal, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba informed parliament that Senegal anticipates resuming IMF talks around June 8 and aims to finalize key points by June 30. Diba also warned that the nation’s fuel subsidy expenses could surpass the 2026 budget allocation by as much as 1.15 trillion CFA francs ($2 billion) if oil prices reach $115 per barrel. He noted that Sonko had rejected his proposal to increase fuel prices.
Sonko had expressed opposition to restructuring the country’s estimated $13 billion debt, which he claimed the IMF was advocating for, while President Faye had remained more reserved on the matter.
Sonko’s Political Future Uncertain
Sonko was a prominent opposition figure during the tenure of former President Macky Sall, whose controversial decision to postpone the 2024 election triggered widespread unrest.
Both Faye and Sonko, who previously worked as tax officials, were incarcerated shortly before the 2024 election. They were released just ten days prior to the rescheduled vote, which Faye ultimately won with 54% of the ballots cast. Faye subsequently appointed Sonko as his prime minister.
With his removal from the prime ministerial role, Sonko’s next political moves remain unclear. In March, he had suggested a potential withdrawal of his Pastef party from the government and a return to opposition if Faye deviated from the party’s platform, fueling speculation about an irreconcilable power struggle between the two leaders.
The Pastef party holds a majority in the National Assembly, a situation that could impede governance and the approval of reforms necessary to secure IMF support.
Last month, lawmakers overwhelmingly passed electoral code amendments that could potentially enable Sonko to contest the presidency in 2029.
Among the key initiatives championed by the anti-establishment, pan-Africanist prime minister was an audit of Senegal’s resource contracts, including those pertaining to its nascent oil and gas sector. In March, Sonko deemed a BP gas contract for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project unfair and revoked approximately 71 mining licenses.
He had argued that renegotiating oil and gas agreements would lead to lower domestic energy costs and contribute to rebuilding Senegal’s strained financial standing.
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