Senegal: open tensions between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko
The political climate in Senegal has noticeably tightened since November 11, 2025. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko are now openly clashing over control of the presidential coalition “Diomaye Président”, originally created to support Faye’s candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
The head of state decided to replace Aïssatou Mbodj, a close ally of Sonko, with Aminata Touré, a palace loyalist, as head of the coalition.
This change, announced without consultation, was seen as a slap in the face to the Prime Minister, who had recently stated that no change would be made to that post.
Ousmane Sonko therefore did not attend the Council of Ministers on November 12 and has officially taken indefinite leave. But his party, Pastef, reacted strongly.
In a statement, it denounced an “illegitimate” decision, arguing that the president has no power of dismissal within the coalition. The party also rejected Aminata Touré’s appointment, citing a “divergence of values”.
This confrontation reveals a power struggle at the top of the state. Several analysts see it as a sign of weakening of the executive duo, despite being presented as the embodiment of a political renewal.
If the tension persists, the disagreement could turn into a full-blown institutional crisis, forcing ministers and senior officials in power to take sides.
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