SENEGAL PRESIDENT FAYE UNVEILS NEW CABINET, EXCLUDES SONKO-LED PARTY
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Agency Report
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday announced a new government that excludes the party led by his former ally and ex-prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, deepening an ongoing political rift at the heart of the West African nation’s leadership.
The announcement was made during a live television broadcast less than two weeks after Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the cabinet following disagreements over governance and economic policy.
Sonko, a popular political figure and leader of the Pastef party, was replaced after tensions escalated between both men despite their long-standing political alliance. He had previously been a key ally of Faye during the 2024 elections.
Following his removal, Sonko’s allies moved swiftly to elect him Speaker of Parliament in a vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, further intensifying the political standoff.
On Monday, Faye appointed senior economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as the new prime minister, citing his expertise in addressing Senegal’s growing economic and debt challenges.
Lo subsequently announced a 30-member cabinet, notably without any representatives from Pastef, the party founded by Sonko in 2014 and which holds a majority in parliament.
In response, Sonko confirmed that his party would not participate in the new cabinet, stating that discussions with the president had failed to resolve key disagreements.
“Some points of agreement were indeed confirmed, but also, above all, points of disagreement,” Sonko said in a social media statement.
The political fallout marks a significant shift in relations between Faye and Sonko, who were once close allies in a joint opposition movement that helped bring Faye to power in 2024.
Sonko had been widely seen as a potential presidential contender before being barred from running due to a defamation conviction.
Analysts say the latest developments could reshape Senegal’s political landscape, particularly as the government grapples with economic pressures and negotiations with international financial institutions.
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