Senegal’s political crisis: Sonko threatens to topple Faye’s government

Sharp words in Mbacké

The political tensions in Senegal have escalated sharply. Speaking at a rally in Mbacké on July 12, Ousmane Sonko—now President of the National Assembly—delivered a fiery address, leveling direct criticism at President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his administration. The former Prime Minister accused the government of abandoning the sovereignist renegotiation of oil, gas, and mining contracts, a cornerstone pledge of the ruling coalition.

In a speech that quickly spread across social media the following day, Sonko condemned what he described as a betrayal of the Pastef movement’s vision and highlighted alleged corruption within the state apparatus. His warning was clear: he intends to file a no-confidence motion to force the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, appointed on May 25 under a presidential decree.

An irreparable split

The growing rift between the two leaders has now fully materialized. On May 22, 2026, President Faye abruptly dismissed Sonko from the premiership, effectively dissolving the entire government. The decision stunned the public, as the two men had long been seen as the dynamic duo behind the Pastef movement since Faye’s March 2024 presidential victory.

Three days later, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô took over as Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Sonko was elevated to the role of National Assembly President—a strategic but non-executive position. Far from stepping back, the former Prime Minister has used this platform to amplify his critiques and sustain pressure on the executive branch.

Mayors rally behind Faye

As Sonko ramps up his campaign, President Faye is shoring up grassroots support. On July 12—the same day as the Mbacké rally—ten of the sixteen mayors in the Mbour department publicly declared their allegiance to the President. This show of force comes as Faye pushes forward with building a new political base, distinct from the historic Pastef movement.

The founding congress of this new party is scheduled for August 8, 2026, at the Dakar Arena. This milestone reflects Faye’s determination to break free from Sonko’s influence and the party that once carried them both to power.

A multi-front battle

Sonko’s criticism extends beyond mining and oil contracts. He has also condemned the Constitutional Council’s seven judges for overturning a constitutional reform, directly implicating President Faye in the decision. The tone is one of outright opposition, despite both men hailing from the same political movement.

Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô has not remained silent. On social media, he countered Sonko’s allegations, accusing him of politicizing patriotic discourse. This rebuttal underscores the executive’s resolve to resist destabilization.

Setting the stage in Senegal

Senegal, home to 18 million people in West Africa’s far west, underwent a historic political shift in March 2024 with the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The young President, backed by the Pastef movement and its leader Ousmane Sonko, vowed to break from the old regime’s practices and pursue sovereign management of the country’s natural resources—particularly the oil and gas reserves discovered off Dakar’s coast.

Mbacké, where the July 12 rally took place, is a religious city in the Diourbel region and the spiritual heart of the Mouride brotherhood, a powerful Sufi order in Senegal. Touba, the neighboring capital of the Mourides, is a critical electoral battleground. Sonko’s presence in this area is strategic, aiming to solidify his base in a region where President Faye is also seeking influence.

Is a no-confidence motion viable?

The threat of a no-confidence motion is not an empty gesture. As President of the National Assembly, Sonko holds procedural tools to initiate such a process. The key question is whether he can secure the necessary majority to topple the government. The Pastef holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly since the legislative elections, but the real test will be how many deputies will follow Sonko in challenging a President from the same movement.

The power struggle between the two figures continues, with the broader issues of renegotiating contracts with multinationals and defining Senegal’s post-alternance political direction hanging in the balance. August 8, the date of Faye’s party launch, could mark a decisive turning point in this crisis that is tearing apart the camp of change.