Senegal president dismisses PM Sonko, dissolves cabinet amid growing tensions

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye removes Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as political divisions deepen during an economic crisis and stalled IMF negotiations.

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday removed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from office and dissolved the government, a move likely to increase uncertainty in a country already struggling with a debt crisis and prolonged negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

A statement broadcast on state media confirmed that all ministers had been dismissed, while the outgoing administration would continue handling routine affairs, according to presidential secretary-general Oumar Samba Ba. The decision follows months of rising friction between the former allies, whose relationship has steadily deteriorated since taking power.

Sonko, a popular political figure with strong backing among young voters, had supported Faye during the 2024 presidential election after being barred from contesting due to a defamation conviction.

Following the announcement, Sonko wrote on social media: “Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood,” referring to his residence.

The political split comes at a difficult time for Senegal’s economy. The International Monetary Fund suspended its $1.8 billion financing programme after discovering inaccuracies in the country’s debt reporting, pushing Senegal’s debt-to-GDP ratio to 132% by the end of 2024. Analysts fear Faye’s latest move could further delay a fresh agreement with the IMF, which is viewed as essential for stabilising the economy.

Earlier on Friday, before Sonko’s dismissal, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that Senegal hoped to resume talks with the IMF during the week beginning June 8 and expected to reach consensus on major issues before June 30.

Diba also warned lawmakers that fuel subsidies could exceed the government’s 2026 budget by as much as 1.15 trillion CFA francs ($2 billion) if global oil prices rise to $115 per barrel. He added that Sonko had opposed proposals to increase domestic fuel prices.

Sonko had also resisted any restructuring of Senegal’s estimated $13 billion debt, which he claimed was being encouraged by the IMF, while Faye has remained comparatively silent on the matter.

Speculation over Sonko’s future

Sonko rose to prominence as a leading opposition figure during the presidency of Macky Sall, whose controversial decision to postpone the 2024 election sparked unrest across the country. Both Faye and Sonko, former tax inspectors, were jailed ahead of the election and released only 10 days before the rescheduled vote.

Faye later won the presidency with 54% of the vote and appointed Sonko as prime minister soon after taking office.

With Sonko now removed from the government, uncertainty surrounds his next political move.

In March, Sonko suggested he would consider withdrawing his Pastef party from the ruling coalition and returning to opposition politics if Faye abandoned the party’s agenda, fuelling speculation that the power struggle between the two leaders could not be resolved.

Pastef still holds a dominant majority in the National Assembly, meaning continued tensions could complicate governance and hinder the approval of reforms required to secure IMF backing.

Last month, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved changes to the electoral code that could allow Sonko to contest the 2029 presidential election. Among the former prime minister’s major initiatives was an audit of Senegal’s resource agreements, including contracts linked to the country’s growing oil and gas industry.

In March, Sonko described a BP gas agreement related to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project as unfair and cancelled 71 mining licences.

He argued that renegotiating energy contracts would help reduce domestic fuel prices and support efforts to rebuild Senegal’s strained economy.