Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has fired Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government after months of growing tensions between the two former allies. The decision comes as Senegal faces a worsening debt crisis and ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
State media confirmed that all ministers were removed from office, while the outgoing government will temporarily manage daily affairs. The move marks a major political shift in Senegal, where Faye and Sonko had previously worked closely together during the 2024 presidential election.
Sonko, a popular opposition figure with strong support among young voters, backed Faye after being barred from running for president himself due to a defamation conviction. After winning the election with 54% of the vote, Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister. However, disagreements over economic policy and the direction of the ruling Pastef party reportedly created growing divisions between the two leaders.
The political crisis comes at a difficult moment for Senegal’s economy. The IMF froze its $1.8 billion lending program after debt reporting irregularities were discovered, with Senegal’s debt level estimated at 132% of economic output by the end of 2024. Finance Minister Cheikh Diba recently warned that rising fuel subsidy costs could place even more pressure on the country’s finances.
Sonko had opposed fuel price increases and rejected IMF-backed debt restructuring proposals, while Faye appeared more open to negotiations with international lenders. Earlier this year, Sonko also warned he could take the Pastef party back into opposition if the government moved away from its original political agenda.
During his time in office, Sonko pushed for major reforms in Senegal’s oil, gas, and mining sectors. He criticized energy agreements involving BP and revoked dozens of mining licenses, arguing that Senegal needed better control over its natural resources and stronger economic independence.
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