Senegal’s president dismisses Prime Minister Sonko and dissolves government amid political rift

The decision was announced on state media on Friday by Oumar Samba Ba, secretary-general of the presidency. All ministers have been dismissed, although the outgoing government will remain in place to handle day-to-day affairs until a new administration is formed.

The move follows months of reported tensions between Faye and Sonko, once close political allies. Sonko, a popular opposition figure with strong support among young voters, backed Faye in the 2024 presidential election after being barred from running himself because of a defamation conviction.

Following the announcement, Sonko wrote on social media that he would “sleep with a light heart” at his Keur Gorgui residence in Dakar.

IMF talks at risk

The political shake-up comes at a sensitive time for Senegal’s economy. The International Monetary Fund froze its $1.8 billion lending programme after the discovery of misreported debt, with the country’s debt level estimated at 132% of GDP by the end of 2024.

Faye’s decision could further delay efforts to reach a new agreement with the IMF, which is seen as crucial for stabilising public finances and restoring investor confidence.

Earlier on Friday, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that Senegal expected to resume talks with the IMF in the week of June 8, with hopes of reaching agreement on key issues by June 30.

Diba also warned that Senegal’s fuel subsidy bill could exceed its 2026 budget allocation by as much as 1.15 trillion CFA francs, or about $2 billion, if oil prices rise to $115 per barrel. He said Sonko had rejected a proposal to increase fuel prices.

Sonko had also opposed any restructuring of Senegal’s debt, estimated at around $13 billion, which he said the IMF was encouraging. Faye has been less outspoken on the issue.

Questions over Sonko’s next move

Sonko’s dismissal has fuelled speculation about his political future and the direction of the ruling Pastef party, which dominates Senegal’s National Assembly.

In March, Sonko said he would be prepared to take Pastef out of government and return to the opposition if Faye moved away from the party’s agenda. That warning had already raised questions about whether the political partnership between the two men could survive.

Both Faye and Sonko are former tax officials who were jailed before the 2024 election and released just 10 days before the rescheduled vote. Faye went on to win the presidency with 54% of the vote and appointed Sonko as prime minister shortly afterwards.

Last month, lawmakers approved electoral code changes that could allow Sonko to run for president in 2029.

Resource contracts under scrutiny

As prime minister, Sonko pursued an anti-establishment and pan-Africanist agenda, including a review of Senegal’s resource contracts.

His government launched audits of major agreements in the country’s emerging oil, gas and mining sectors. In March, Sonko described BP’s gas contract for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project as unfair and revoked around 71 mining licences.

He argued that renegotiating oil and gas deals would help lower domestic energy prices and rebuild Senegal’s strained public finances.

The dismissal now leaves Senegal facing a new phase of political uncertainty, with questions over whether Faye can form a stable government, maintain support in parliament and secure the financial backing needed to address the country’s debt crisis.