Senegal's ruling alliance collapses as Faye and Sonko battle for control of the state

 Our Correspondence 

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal has been thrust into its most serious political crisis since the historic 2024 election that swept reformist leaders Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko to power, after a dramatic rupture between the two men triggered an escalating struggle over the future direction of the West African nation.

What began as a dispute over economic policy and debt management has evolved into a full-blown institutional confrontation, pitting the presidency against a parliament controlled by the same political movement that brought both leaders to power. 

The showdown has raised concerns about governance, constitutional stability, and investor confidence at a time when Senegal is grappling with a mounting debt burden and growing fiscal pressures.

Faye and Sonko emerged from prison and legal battles to win a decisive electoral victory in 2024, ending more than a decade of rule by the country's political establishment. 

Today, the alliance that once united them appears irreparably fractured.

From political partnership to power struggle

The latest chapter of the crisis began on May 22, when President Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the government after months of increasingly visible disagreements over economic policy, public spending and relations with international lenders.

While tensions had been building behind closed doors for months, the dismissal transformed an internal dispute into an open contest for power.

Rather than retreating from national politics, Sonko and his allies responded with a rapid political counteroffensive. 

Within days, a vacancy was created in the leadership of the National Assembly, allowing the former prime minister to return to parliament.

On May 26, lawmakers overwhelmingly elected Sonko as Speaker of the National Assembly, giving him control of one of the most powerful institutions in Senegal's political system. 

The vote underscored the continued dominance of the ruling PASTEF movement, which holds a commanding majority in parliament.

The result has created an unusual political configuration: President Faye remains head of state and controls the executive branch, while his former ally now presides over the legislature that must pass laws, approve budgets, and scrutinize government policy.

Political analysts in Dakar have increasingly described the situation as a form of "dual power," with two rival centers of authority emerging from the same governing coalition.

Construction of the Ndayane port facility, January 2024. © Thėo du Couëdic

A battle over Senegal's economic future

At the heart of the conflict lies a deeper disagreement about how Senegal should navigate one of the most difficult economic periods in its recent history.

The country has been under intense financial pressure following revelations that fiscal data under the previous administration may have significantly understated public debt and budget deficits. 

The controversy led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to suspend a major lending programme while authorities reassessed the country's finances.

The revised figures painted a far more challenging picture of Senegal's economic position than previously understood, raising concerns among international investors and development partners.

President Faye has largely favored a pragmatic approach aimed at restoring confidence among lenders, reassuring financial markets, and maintaining cooperation with international institutions. 

His supporters argue that Senegal requires external financing and fiscal discipline to avoid a deeper economic crisis.

Sonko, by contrast, has championed a more nationalist economic vision. 

Throughout his tenure as prime minister, he frequently criticized policies perceived as being driven by international financial institutions and opposed measures that could increase the cost of living for ordinary Senegalese citizens.

The disagreement became particularly acute over subsidy reforms and fuel pricing. 

Finance officials argued that reducing subsidies was necessary to stabilize public finances, while Sonko's camp maintained that ordinary households should not bear the burden of economic adjustment.

The dispute exposed a broader ideological divide within the ruling movement: whether Senegal's promised economic transformation should prioritize fiscal credibility and investor confidence or pursue a more confrontational approach toward international lenders and economic orthodoxy.

 Constitutional Council of Senegal (photo credit: conseilconstitutionnel.sn)

Constitutional questions move to the courts

The political confrontation is now increasingly being fought through legal and constitutional channels.

Opposition parties have criticized Sonko's rapid transition from prime minister to parliamentary speaker, arguing that the maneuver undermines democratic norms and stretches constitutional procedures.

Questions have also emerged regarding the compatibility of executive and legislative offices and whether all legal requirements were satisfied before Sonko assumed his new position.

President Faye has reportedly sought judicial clarification on the legality of the process, setting the stage for what could become a landmark constitutional case.

The outcome may determine not only Sonko's future role but also the balance of power between Senegal's key institutions.

Why Sonko still matters

Although Sonko no longer leads the government, his election as parliamentary speaker ensures that he remains one of the most influential figures in Senegalese politics.

The National Assembly plays a critical role in approving legislation, overseeing public spending, and scrutinizing executive decisions. 

It also holds significant leverage over the government's policy agenda.

Perhaps most importantly, President Faye's newly appointed prime minister, economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, will require cooperation from a legislature led by Sonko's allies to govern effectively.

This means that despite his dismissal from the executive branch, Sonko retains substantial influence over the functioning of government.

In his first remarks after becoming speaker, Sonko sought to calm fears of institutional paralysis, stating that he would not use parliament to create "institutional chaos." 

Yet he also delivered a pointed reminder of the political reality facing the presidency, declaring that "there will be no government without PASTEF."

The statement highlighted the central contradiction at the heart of Senegal's crisis: both men derive their legitimacy from the same political movement, but they now appear to represent competing visions for its future.

Senegal President,  Bassirou Diomaye Fay. Image: JOHN WESSELS / AFP

What comes next

For Senegal, long regarded as one of West Africa's most stable democracies, the coming months will be a critical test of institutional resilience.

The immediate challenge will be determining whether the presidency and parliament can continue to function despite the growing rivalry between their respective leaders. 

A prolonged standoff could complicate efforts to address economic challenges, implement reforms, and secure international financing.

Investors and regional observers are also watching closely. Senegal recently began producing oil and natural gas, raising hopes that energy revenues could accelerate economic development. 

Political instability, however, risks undermining confidence at a pivotal moment for the country's economy.

While neither side has signaled a willingness to back down, the crisis remains fundamentally political rather than constitutional. 

The key question is whether Faye and Sonko can find a path to coexistence within the institutions they helped build—or whether their rivalry will reshape Senegal's political landscape for years to come.