Senegal’s president fires prime minister and former ally…

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has fired Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the nation’s government after months of tensions between the two men.

A shock decree, read on TV by a presidential aide, states that Faye has “terminated the functions” of her former political ally Sonko and “consequently those of ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government”.

Sonko, a popular figure among Senegalese youth, said on social media that he will “sleep lightly.”

The rift comes as the country faces growing economic pressure, with its public debt reaching the equivalent of 132% of its GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Sonko’s sacking followed Tuesday’s parliamentary session, during which the prime minister openly criticized Faye for her approach to the debt crisis.

Faye found herself in the unusual situation of owing her position, in large part, to the popularity of her prime minister.

Sonko would almost certainly have accepted the top job had he not been barred from running in the 2024 elections due to a defamation conviction.

However, Sonko supported Faye’s candidacy for president, using the slogan “Diomaye is Sonko, Sonko is Diomaye”.

The pair managed to unseat then-President Macky Sall – a remarkable victory given that they were both in prison until 10 days before the election.

Late Tuesday evening, several hundred students demonstrated in the streets of the capital Dakar, declaring their support for Sonko.

No details were provided on the appointment of the new prime minister.

Tensions between Sonko and Faye have been on full display for months.

Faye reportedly criticized Sonko’s “excessive personalisation” within the ruling Pastef party, while Sonko accused the president of “leadership failure” for failing to defend him from his critics.

Amid this feud, Senegal’s leaders are grappling with the enormous amount of debt they inherited from the previous government.

As a result, the IMF froze its $1.8 billion (£1.3 billion) loan program with Senegal.

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