President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has officially terminated the tenure of his Prime Minister and former political mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with his entire government. The dismissal, enacted by presidential decree on Friday evening, comes after a period of escalating friction between the two prominent Senegalese figures.

In a declaration broadcast on national television, Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency, confirmed the decision. He stated that President Faye “has ended the duties of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were members of the government.”

The official statement further clarified that “the members of the outgoing government are instructed to manage current affairs” until a new administration is formed.

Sonko, a formidable opposition voice against former President Macky Sall (2012-2024), faced disqualification from the February 2024 presidential election. This followed a defamation conviction that resulted in the loss of his civil rights, sparking widespread public demonstrations against President Sall and the possibility of him seeking a controversial third term.

It was Sonko who subsequently endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his replacement candidate. Since Faye’s electoral victory, however, the dynamic between the president and his charismatic former mentor has grown increasingly strained. Sonko’s considerable influence and popular appeal were instrumental in propelling the duo to power.

With his compelling pan-Africanist rhetoric, Ousmane Sonko had captivated a significant segment of Senegal’s disillusioned youth in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential contest, following months of intense confrontation with Macky Sall’s government.

Reacting swiftly to the announcement, Sonko posted on his Facebook account, saying, “Alhamdoulillah. Ce soir je dormirai le cœur léger à la cité Keur Gorgui,” referring to the Dakar neighborhood where he resides.

Social media platforms were immediately flooded with videos depicting Sonko’s supporters converging on his residence, chanting his name just moments after news of his government’s dismissal broke.

For several months, the growing discord between the head of state and the head of government had become overtly apparent, casting increasing doubt on the viability of their working relationship.

Sonko’s political party holds a dominant position in the Senegalese National Assembly, having secured an overwhelming majority in the legislative elections held in November 2024.