Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko along with the entire government, marking a major political shake-up in the country.
The decision was announced late Friday, May 22, 2026, following weeks of growing tension between the two leaders, who were once seen as close political allies within the Pastef movement.
The rift reportedly deepened during a National Assembly current affairs session earlier on Friday, where Sonko openly disagreed with President Diomaye Faye over the issue of political funding. Sonko reportedly stated that the president “made a mistake” and said he did not agree with him on the matter, a move viewed by observers as a direct challenge to the presidency.
Signs of an internal power struggle had already emerged in recent weeks after several close associates of Sonko were removed from positions within the presidency.
Earlier this month, President Diomaye Faye had also hinted at possible tensions, warning during a press conference that the confidence placed in his prime minister was not unconditional.
As of the time of reporting, no replacement has been officially named to succeed Sonko as Prime Minister.
Experienced broadcast journalist with over 5 years of experience in reporting, multimedia editing, and storytelling across both traditional and digital media. I currently work with Vision FM 92.1 and Daily Frontier, where I report on security, conflict, and humanitarian issues, while also translating news into Hausa and Pidgin to reach wider audiences.
I also serve as a correspondent for Daily Frontier in Plateau and Benue States, Nigeria, covering security, conflict, and humanitarian developments in the region.
I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from Adamawa State Polytechnic and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria.
