Following the announcement of Senegal’s new government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al-Aminou Lo, the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party, spearheaded by Ousmane Sonko, has declared its withdrawal from the executive. The decision stems from disagreements over the structural composition of the cabinet, despite the presence of several ministers closely tied to Sonko’s political movement.
Key appointments linked to PASTEF
While the party abstains from participation, the new cabinet features multiple figures whose careers are widely associated with the PASTEF alliance or its leader. Among them are Yankhoba Diémé, appointed Minister of Armed Forces; Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, who now oversees Hydraulics and Sanitation; Ibrahim Sy, heading the Health and Public Hygiene portfolio; Marie Angélique Mame Selbe Diouf, responsible for Family and Solidarity; and Déthié Fall, leading the Infrastructure sector.
These individuals have been prominent in the public discourse as key figures in the political coalition that supported Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s presidential bid in 2024. Their inclusion highlights the nuanced balance between party loyalty and national governance under the new administration.
Technocrats and independent voices in the cabinet
The government’s composition also includes figures perceived as technocrats or independent political actors, such as Cheikh Diba, Cheikh Niang, and Boubacar Camara. Unlike their counterparts, these ministers are not directly affiliated with PASTEF, reflecting a blend of expertise and political diversity within the executive.
