Senegal's Diomaye Faye Explains Decision to Replace Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister

Senegalese President Diomaye Faye has explained why he decided to replace Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister in May 2026. In an interview with France 24 and RFI in New York on September 24, 2026, Faye attributed the decision to a persistent breakdown in trust between the two politicians. This breakdown had been ongoing until it became necessary for Faye to make a change at the Prime Minister's office.

The decision to replace Sonko was made on May 22, 2026, when Faye issued a presidential decree ending Sonko's functions as Prime Minister, along with those of the entire government. The move was announced on the same evening by Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary General of the Presidency, on public television RTS. This change occurred four months before Faye's recent comments.

Faye's explanation in New York recalls a statement he made three weeks before Sonko's dismissal. On May 2, 2026, during an interview with the Senegalese press, Faye acknowledged existing differences with Sonko but stated that Sonko still had his trust. Faye linked Sonko's continuation as Prime Minister to their relationship of trust, hinting that a new Prime Minister would be appointed if that trust were to disappear.

After his departure from the government, Sonko was elected President of the National Assembly. In an interview with France 24 and RFI on June 14, 2026, Sonko assured that there would be no "tear" with Faye despite their disagreements. Sonko and Faye had built a long political trajectory together, which played a crucial role in the March 2024 presidential election.

During the 2024 presidential election, Sonko supported Faye's candidacy, and Faye won with 54.28% of the votes in the first round. However, their alliance eventually led to them heading different institutions: Faye as President of the Republic and Sonko as President of the National Assembly. Faye's recent statement provides his perspective on the factor that led to his decision to replace Sonko.

Faye's decision to replace Sonko was followed by the appointment of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister on May 25, 2026. Lo had previously led the Senegalese representation at the Central Bank of West African States. This change marked a significant shift in Senegal's political landscape.

The clarification from Faye provides further insight into the chronology of the breakdown between him and Sonko. While Faye's earlier statements in May presented the loss of trust as a possibility, he now asserts that this breakdown persisted, leading to Sonko's dismissal. This explanation comes several months after the political separation of the two men.

Key points

• Diomaye Faye cites a persistent breakdown in trust with Ousmane Sonko as the reason for replacing him as Prime Minister.
• The decision to replace Sonko was made on May 22, 2026, and was followed by the appointment of Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister.
• Faye's explanation provides further insight into the chronology of the breakdown between him and Sonko, which ultimately led to Sonko's dismissal.