On May 22, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a move that automatically dissolved the entire government. The historic decision, outlined in Decree No. 2026-128, signals a significant shift in Senegal’s political landscape.
The outgoing officials have been instructed to handle ongoing administrative tasks until a new government is formed. At this stage, no timeline has been disclosed regarding the appointment of a successor to lead the executive branch.
This decisive action underscores the escalation of longstanding tensions between the Head of State and the former Premier, once key allies within the Pastef movement. Differences that had simmered behind closed doors eventually surfaced publicly, culminating in this decisive break.
