Senegal’s President Faye sacks Prime Minister Sonko, dissolves government
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the country’s government following months of political tensions, deepening uncertainty in the debt-stricken West African nation.
The announcement was made on Friday through a decree broadcast on state television and read by presidential aide Oumar Samba Ba.
According to the decree, President Faye “has ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government.”
The development marks a dramatic turn in the relationship between the two political allies, whose partnership played a key role in Faye’s rise to power.
Although details surrounding the decision were not immediately disclosed, the move comes amid growing political and economic challenges facing Senegal.
The dissolution of the government is expected to trigger consultations over the formation of a new cabinet as the administration seeks to stabilise governance and address mounting economic concerns.
Senegal has in recent months grappled with rising debt pressures and political uncertainty, despite hopes of reform following Faye’s election.
The latest shake-up is likely to attract regional and international attention given the influence both Faye and Sonko wield in Senegalese politics.