23/05/2026
RIFT BETWEEN Ousmane Sonko AND President Bassirou Diomaye Faye: THE BEST VERSION
The political relationship between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has become one of the most discussed political developments in Senegal. To understand the current rupture, it is important to revisit the events in chronological order and examine how the relationship evolved from political brotherhood into open confrontation.
From the very beginning, Ousmane Sonko clearly stated that he would be the garantor supervising the implementation of the aspirations of the Senegalese people. During the campaign period, he even joked publicly that he would twist candidate Diomaye’s ears in case he derailed from the mission entrusted to them by the people.
The March 24 presidential election resulted in a historical landslide victory for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. However, it is generally acknowledged that President Diomaye’s rise to power was made possible largely through Ousmane Sonko’s political sacrifice, popularity, charisma and leadership. Without Sonko, there would probably have been no Diomaye presidency. Their political destinies became inseparable in the eyes of many Senegalese.
Immediately after taking power, differences in political orientation slowly began to appear. At a moment when the AES states — Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — needed Senegal the most, President Diomaye chose diplomatic engagement with Economic Community of West African States and maintained the status quo.
On the other hand, Sonko moved closer to AES leaders such as President Ibrahim Traoré and President Assimi Goïta. It must be noted that PASTEF’s ideology alignes more with the souverainiste and panafrican agenda represented by AES than with the traditional ECOWAS political order.
The new tandem also undertook symbolic nationalist actions. Senegal forced the departure of the French military base and France officially condemned the massacre of the Thiaroye massacre victims.
As legislative elections approached, Ousmane Sonko decided that PASTEF would contest alone without coalition partners. The betrayal experienced within Yewwi Askan Wi still left a bitter taste.
Soon afterward, Sonko alongside his Finance and Economy Ministers revealed that the previous administration of President Macky Sall had contracted loans from the International Monetary Fund that were not properly reported. The IMF later qualified the matter as a misreporting.
Consequently, the International Monetary Fund suspended its program with Senegal and imposed an economic restructuring which the government refused.
At the same time, the government launched accountability procedures targeting illegally amassed wealth linked to allies of the APR regime, including figures such as Lat Diop and Farba Ngom.
Ousmane Sonko then made public remarks signaling misunderstandings between himself and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He criticized delays within the justice system and the inability to arrest even bigger figures allegedly involved in wrongdoing.
Despite economic difficulties and international crises, the government simultaneously implemented price reductions on essential goods including food, fuel, electricity and construction materials, making Senegal perhaps the only African country to reduce the cost of living during such a difficult global economic period.
Following Sonko’s complaints concerning the justice system and the slow restoration of order, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved his first government and reappointed him as Prime Minister. This reshuffle strengthened Sonko’s influence, especially since the Minister of Justice and the Interior Minister were part of PASTEF contrary to their technocratic predecessors.
Ousmane Sonko later introduced his Economic Recovery Plan designed to counter the effects of the IMF suspension. The plan focused on eliminating redundant institutions, reducing extravagant government spending, increasing taxes on non-essential goods such as alcohol and betting, and removing tax exemptions previously granted to multinational corporations. These reforms enabled Senegal to continue servicing its debts without intervention from the international community.
The government also renegotiated several strategic contracts in sectors ranging from construction to natural resource extraction. Among the most significant developments was the nationalisation of Yakaar-Teranga, one of the most promising gas prospects in the subregion. Authorities presented this as central to Senegal’s “gas to power” strategy aimed at making electricity cheaper and more efficient.
However, tensions within the ruling party became more visible. Ousmane Sonko publicly warned that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was distancing himself from the party that brought him to power by building an independent political apparatus. Sonko wanted the President’s coalition to merge fully with PASTEF under a single coalition known as APTE led by Madame Aïda Mbodj.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye instead maintained his own coalition, “DIOMAYE PRESIDENT,” and appointed Madame Aminata Touré to lead it. This was interpreted as a direct political counterbalance to Sonko’s influence.
In response, Ousmane Sonko organized what supporters described as the largest political gathering in Senegal’s history, known as the TERA MEETING, in a demonstration of political strength.
Differences also appeared in diplomatic style. Sonko’s foreign trips to China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates were centered on economic partnerships. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s travels, by contrast, focused more on multilateral diplomacy, especially in settings attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed two major laws: one reinforcing punishments related to acts against nature and homosexuality, and another reforming electoral laws L29 and L30 which had previously restricted certain candidates from participating in elections. Both laws were promulgated by the President.
Under the regime headed by Ousmane Sonko, the laws were applied fully despite even the implications of Ndiaga Seck, believed to be a Sonko sympathiser and friend. Sonko repeatedly stated that he would protect no one.
At the same time, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye started firing individuals considered close to Ousmane Sonko such as Bassirou Kébé, Kilipha and others.
On May 2, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called the press at the presidential palace to discuss current national issues. During the interview, he stated that Ousmane Sonko remained Prime Minister because he was doing his job properly and still enjoyed presidential confidence. He added that the day he lost confidence in him, he would appoint another Prime Minister. Many interpreted this statement as preparation for a future rupture.
While President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was consulting former Prime Ministers, Interior Ministers and Finance Ministers on May 22, Ousmane Sonko was at the National Assembly answering questions from MPs as part of Senegal’s democratic practices.
During that parliamentary session, Sonko clarified his position concerning the secret funds, commonly referred to as "Caisse noire", which he believed should be regulated in accordance with campaign promises. During his May 2 interview with the press, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had stated that such funds exist to secretly assist people and therefore should remain untouched and outside public control.
On May 22, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired Ousmane Sonko, bringing their political partnership into an open rupture and marking a major turning point in Senegal’s contemporary political history.
However, despite the rupture, many Senegalese continue to see Ousmane Sonko as a man of his words, a souverainiste and a convinced panafricanist who remained faithful to the ideals that brought him to power. Although his tenure may not yet have produced all the material transformations expected by the population within two years, his supporters and many observers believe that he remained consistent in defending national sovereignty, accountability and economic patriotism.
His political journey has always been marked by resilience, confrontation and comeback. For that reason, many believe that Ousmane Sonko’s political story is far from over and that he will eventually bounce back even stronger on the Senegalese political scene.
Momodou Bah 1
Specilist on Africa and post colonial studies and leader of AFRO MOVEMENT
