Sénégal’s political landscape shifts as president dismisses prime minister

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially relieved Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of his duties, a significant decision enacted on Friday, May 22, 2026. This presidential decree, designated as n° 2026-128, effectively led to the immediate dissolution of the entire government cabinet. This move represents a crucial turning point in Sénégal’s political landscape.

 

Members of the outgoing administration have been instructed to manage current governmental affairs while awaiting the formation of a new team. At this juncture, no specific timeline has been communicated regarding the appointment of a new Prime Minister.

 

This official rupture culminates months of escalating tensions between the Head of State and his Prime Minister. Both were once key allied figures within the Pastef movement, but their growing divergences had increasingly become a subject of public scrutiny and debate.