President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has officially terminated the tenure of his Prime Minister and former political mentor, Ousmane Sonko, along with the entire government, through a presidential decree issued Friday evening. This significant political move comes after months of discernible friction between the two prominent figures.

The announcement, conveyed to the nation via state television by Oumar Samba Ba, the Secretary General of the Presidency, stated that the President “has ended the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who were members of the government.”

The official declaration further specified that “the members of the outgoing government are tasked with managing current affairs” until a new administration is formed.

Ousmane Sonko, a staunch adversary of former President Macky Sall (who served from 2012 to 2024), was barred from contesting the February 2024 presidential election. This prohibition followed a defamation conviction that stripped him of his civic rights, sparking widespread public demonstrations against President Sall and the possibility of him seeking a controversial third term.

In light of his disqualification, Mr. Sonko then endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye as his successor. Since Mr. Faye’s electoral victory, however, tensions have steadily escalated between the newly elected president and his charismatic former mentor, whose considerable influence was instrumental in propelling their political alliance to power.

With his compelling pan-Africanist rhetoric, Ousmane Sonko had captivated a passionate following among Senegal’s disillusioned youth in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential race, particularly after enduring a protracted confrontation with Macky Sall’s administration.

Immediately following the announcement, Mr. Sonko shared his reaction on his Facebook account, stating, “Alhamdoulillah. Ce soir je dormirai le cœur léger à la cité Keur Gorgui,” referring to his residence in a Dakar neighborhood.

Social media platforms quickly showed videos of Sonko’s supporters converging on his home, chanting his name just moments after the news of his dismissal from the government broke.

For several months, the growing discord between the head of state and the head of government had become increasingly apparent, making the prospect of a harmonious working relationship seem progressively unlikely.

Furthermore, Mr. Sonko’s political party holds a dominant majority in the Senegalese National Assembly, having secured an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections held in November 2024.