President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has unveiled a new government formation in Senegal without representation from the Pastef party, led by his former ally Ousmane Sonko. The decision follows a reported disagreement over cabinet composition between the two leaders.

The announcement comes just 12 days after President Faye dismissed Sonko from his prime ministerial post, a role that Sonko had held since April. Sonko was subsequently elected President of Senegal’s National Assembly, marking a rapid political transition that has intensified existing tensions within the ruling coalition.

These developments unfold against a backdrop of severe economic challenges, with Senegal facing a financial crisis exacerbated by the revelation of undisclosed public debt in 2024. The debt revelation triggered the suspension of a $1.8 billion IMF loan program, pushing the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio to 132% by the end of last year. Negotiations with the IMF are set to resume next week, with authorities aiming to reach key agreements by June 30.

In a statement released on social media, Pastef confirmed its decision not to participate in the new government. The party cited unresolved disagreements regarding the distribution of executive roles and the influence of the ruling majority within the cabinet. The communiqué noted that while some points of convergence were discussed during a lengthy meeting between President Faye and Sonko, critical differences remained unresolved despite subsequent proposals.

The new 30-member cabinet, announced by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, notably excludes several key Pastef officials who served in the previous administration. The government formation signals a significant realignment within Senegal’s political landscape, with potential implications for the country’s economic recovery efforts.