June 23, 2026
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The Diomaye-Sonko duo lasted barely two years. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has removed Ousmane Sonko from the position of Prime Minister. Now serving as President of the National Assembly, Sonko has also been reelected triumphantly as head of the Pastef, the majority party in Parliament but excluded from the government. How did this rift come about? Will cohabitation with the President remain feasible? Do these political tensions risk overshadowing the priorities of Senegalese citizens?

Former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left) and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) at the presidential palace in Dakar on October 16, 2025

Panelists:

  • Abdoulaye Tine, Minister-Counselor and Spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic.
  • Amadou Ba, Former Minister of Culture, Deputy, and National Secretary in charge of Communication for Pastef.
  • Babacar Ndiaye, Political Analyst and Director of Research at the Wathi Think Tank.