Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday. He also dissolved the entire government. This sudden political change risks deeper uncertainty for Senegal.
The country is already grappling with a significant debt crisis. Talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been ongoing. A statement read on state media confirmed the dismissal of all ministers. The outgoing government will handle daily affairs. This decision follows months of rising tensions between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko.
The split comes at a critical time for Senegal's economy. The IMF had previously halted a $1.8 billion loan program. This was due to misreported debt figures. Senegal's debt level reached 132% of its economic output by the end of 2024. President Faye's decision could further delay a new agreement with the IMF. Such an agreement is seen as vital for economic revival.
Earlier on Friday, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba informed parliament that Senegal expected to resume IMF talks. These talks were scheduled for the week of June 8. The goal was to agree on key points by June 30. Minister Diba also warned about the fuel subsidy bill. It could exceed the 2026 budget by GHS 1.15 trillion (about $2 billion). This would happen if oil prices rise to $115 per barrel. He added that Sonko had rejected his proposal to increase fuel prices.
Sonko had opposed any debt restructuring. He stated the IMF was pushing for it. The total debt is estimated at $13 billion. President Faye has been less vocal on this specific issue. The political fallout from Sonko's dismissal is significant. His party, Pastef, holds a majority in the National Assembly. This could create challenges for governance. It might also hinder the passage of reforms needed for IMF support.
Prior to his dismissal, Sonko was a popular opposition leader. He backed Faye in the 2024 election. This was after he was prevented from running himself. He had a defamation conviction. Both Faye and Sonko are former tax officials. They were jailed before the 2024 election. They were released only 10 days before the rescheduled vote. Faye then appointed Sonko as prime minister.
It is now unclear what Sonko's political future holds. In March, he suggested he might leave the government. He could return to the opposition if Faye strayed from their party's agenda. This fueled speculation about an unresolvable power struggle between the two leaders. Lawmakers approved electoral code changes last month. These changes could allow Sonko to run for president in 2029. One of Sonko's key initiatives was auditing Senegal's resource contracts. This included the emerging oil and gas sector. In March, he deemed a BP gas contract unfair. He revoked 71 mining licenses. He argued that renegotiating oil and gas deals would lower domestic energy costs and help Senegal's finances.