The once-unbreakable partnership between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has crumbled under the weight of political rivalry and economic hardship. Their 2024 campaign slogan, « Diomaye Moy Sonko » (« Diomaye is Sonko »), symbolized their unshakable alliance, forged to defeat the long-standing regime of former President Macky Sall (2012–2024). Yet today, the honeymoon phase is over, leaving a fractured leadership in its wake.
The breaking point came when Sonko was abruptly dismissed from his post on May 22. Instead of fading into the background, the outspoken politician made a dramatic political comeback by securing a seat in the National Assembly and, shortly after, winning the prestigious presidency of the chamber. This victory catapulted him to the second-highest position in the Senegalese state, solidifying his role as both the constitutional successor to Faye and his most formidable rival.
Once unified by a shared vision to reshape Senegal’s political landscape, the two leaders now find themselves locked in a bitter struggle for influence. The nation’s economic woes, exacerbated by global pressures and domestic mismanagement, have further strained their relationship. With Sonko’s newfound power base in the legislature, the power dynamic has shifted, raising questions about the future stability of Faye’s administration.
