RismadarVoice Reporters, June 2, 2026
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has unveiled a new government following a major political fallout with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whose party has announced it will not participate in the newly constituted administration.
The announcement was made during a televised address on Monday, less than two weeks after Faye dismissed Sonko and dissolved his cabinet amid growing disagreements over governance and economic policy.
The development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two political allies, whose partnership had helped secure a landmark electoral victory in 2024.
President Faye appointed economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as the country’s new prime minister, citing his expertise and experience as essential for addressing Senegal’s economic challenges, including concerns over public debt and fiscal stability.
Following his appointment, Lo presented a 30-member cabinet that included several individuals associated with the ruling Pastef movement. However, a number of prominent figures who served in the previous administration were notably absent from the new government lineup.
Shortly after the announcement, Sonko declared that Pastef would not participate in the cabinet, citing unresolved differences with President Faye regarding the party’s future role and direction.
According to Sonko, discussions with the president revealed significant disagreements despite some areas of consensus. He maintained that the party would not be represented by any ministers in the new administration.
The political dispute comes despite Pastef retaining a dominant position in Senegal’s parliament, where it controls an overwhelming majority of seats. Sonko, who founded the party in 2014, remains its most influential figure and was recently elected Speaker of Parliament by lawmakers aligned with his political camp.
Observers say the emerging power struggle reflects deeper divisions within the ruling movement over leadership, economic policy, and the future direction of the government.
Faye, who became president in 2024 with Sonko’s backing, has sought to establish his own political authority since taking office. In recent months, tensions between the two leaders became increasingly public, with Sonko accusing the president of failing to defend him against critics, while Faye advocated reducing the party’s dependence on any single political figure.
Differences have also emerged over economic management. While President Faye has expressed openness to engaging with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sonko has advocated a more independent economic approach focused on national sovereignty.
Political analysts believe the split could reshape Senegal’s political landscape, creating uncertainty within the ruling coalition despite its parliamentary dominance.
