Senegal President Faye Dismisses Prime Minister Sonko, Dissolves Government Amid Economic Tensions

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, a move that could heighten uncertainty in a country already facing economic challenges and ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A statement broadcast on state media confirmed that all ministers had been dismissed, while the outgoing government was instructed to continue handling routine affairs, according to Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary-General of the Presidency.

The decision follows months of growing tensions between the two longtime political allies. Sonko, a popular opposition figure with strong support among young people, had backed Faye during the 2024 presidential election after he was barred from contesting due to a defamation conviction.

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

The political fallout comes at a difficult time for Senegal’s economy.

The IMF suspended its $1.8 billion lending programme after the discovery of misreported debt figures, which pushed Senegal’s debt-to-GDP ratio to 132% by the end of 2024.

Faye’s decision is expected to increase concerns over delays in securing a fresh agreement with the IMF, considered crucial for stabilising the country’s economy.

Earlier on Friday, before Sonko’s dismissal, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that Senegal expected to resume negotiations with the IMF during the week of June 8 and hoped to reach a new agreement by June 30.

Diba also warned that the country’s fuel subsidy costs could exceed the 2026 budget allocation by up to 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 fuel prices.

Sonko had also resisted any restructuring of Senegal’s debt, which he claimed was being pushed by the IMF, while President Faye remained less outspoken on the issue.

Speculation Over Sonko’s Political Future

Sonko rose to prominence as a leading opposition figure under former President Macky Sall. Political unrest intensified in 2024 after Sall postponed the presidential election.

Both Faye and Sonko, former tax inspectors, were jailed ahead of the election but released just 10 days before the rescheduled vote. Faye later won the presidency with 54% of the vote and appointed Sonko as prime minister.Following his removal from office, uncertainty now surrounds Sonko’s next political move.

In March, Sonko said he was prepared to pull his Pastef party out of government and return to the opposition if Faye abandoned the party’s political agenda, fuelling speculation of an irreparable power struggle between the two leaders.

Pastef currently holds a majority in the National Assembly, a situation that could complicate governance and delay reforms required to secure IMF support.

Last month, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved electoral reforms that may allow Sonko to contest the 2029 presidential election.

One of Sonko’s major policy initiatives included reviewing Senegal’s natural resource agreements, especially in the oil and gas sector. In March, he criticised a BP gas contract linked to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project as unfair and revoked 71 mining licences.Sonko argued that renegotiating oil and gas agreements would help lower domestic energy prices and improve Senegal’s financial situation.