A fierce political confrontation has erupted in Senegal between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, threatening to destabilize the ruling coalition and plunge the country into political uncertainty.
The rift widened on Tuesday after President Faye announced the dismissal of Aïssatou Mbodj, a close ally of Sonko, as head of the “Diomaye Président” coalition that secured his 2024 election victory.
In her place, Faye appointed Aminata Touré, his former campaign coordinator, in a move widely seen as a direct challenge to Sonko’s authority.
The decision came just days after Sonko publicly declared that there would be “no change at the head of the coalition,” making Faye’s action a deliberate political statement. In response, Sonko’s party, Pastef, rejected the president’s move as “illegal,” asserting that Faye “has no power to dismiss” Mbodj.
The party further stated it “does not share the same values or principles” with Touré, underscoring a widening ideological gulf between the president and his prime minister.
The open clash between the two leaders, once close allies, has exposed deep divisions at the heart of the government.
Analysts warn that President Faye may struggle to govern effectively without Sonko’s backing, as the prime minister commands a powerful political base and widespread public support.
With the ruling coalition now fractured, Senegal faces a critical test of unity and leadership, raising fresh concerns about the country’s political stability in the months ahead.
