DAKAR, June 2, 2026 — Senegal entered a new phase of political uncertainty after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced a new government on June 1, 2026, without the official participation of the ruling PASTEF party founded by Ousmane Sonko. The move followed weeks of growing tensions between the two leaders, whose alliance had brought them to power in the historic 2024 presidential election. According to government sources, economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo was appointed prime minister to lead the new administration.
The crisis began on May 23, 2026, when President Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government. The decision came after months of disagreements over economic policy, debt restructuring, and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The dismissal shocked many Senegalese, as Faye and Sonko had long been viewed as inseparable political allies.
Three days later, on May 26, lawmakers elected Sonko as Speaker of the National Assembly, giving him one of the most powerful positions in the country. Supported by an overwhelming parliamentary majority, Sonko described his election as a test of Senegal’s democratic institutions. During his inaugural remarks, he declared that parliament would not become “a submissive chamber” and pledged rigorous oversight of the executive branch.
The political divide widened further on June 1 when Sonko announced that PASTEF would not participate in the newly formed government. Following a meeting with President Faye, Sonko stated that there was no agreement on the role the party should play in the executive. “PASTEF will not participate in this government,” he said, emphasizing that the party would instead exercise its mandate through parliament.
The development has created an unprecedented situation in Senegalese politics. Although President Faye and Sonko both emerged from PASTEF, the party now effectively controls the National Assembly while remaining outside the formal government structure. Political analysts have described the arrangement as a rare case where the same political movement simultaneously occupies positions of power and opposition.
At the center of the dispute is Senegal’s worsening debt crisis. The country has been struggling since auditors uncovered previously unreported public debt in 2024, leading the IMF to suspend a $1.8 billion lending program. Sonko has repeatedly criticized IMF-backed reforms, while President Faye and members of the economic team have sought to restore confidence among international lenders and investors.
The confrontation also reflects a broader struggle for leadership within PASTEF. Reports throughout 2026 pointed to growing rivalry between Faye and Sonko over the party’s future direction and the presidential succession expected in the coming years. Before the split became public, President Faye warned that the party risked “collapsing” if internal divisions continued to deepen.
As Senegal prepares for renewed IMF negotiations later this month, observers fear that tensions between the presidency and the National Assembly could complicate economic reforms and governance. While Sonko has insisted that he does not seek revenge against his former ally, his new position as parliamentary speaker gives him significant influence over legislation and government oversight. The coming weeks will determine whether Senegal’s leaders can manage their differences or whether the country will face a prolonged period of political deadlock.
