In a televised address from the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Oumar Samba Ba, Secretary-General of the Presidency, announced that Ousmane Sonko was no longer serving as Prime Minister of Senegal. All other government members have also been relieved of their duties.

« By Decree No. 2026-1128 of May 22, 2026, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, has terminated the functions of Mr. Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister, and consequently, those of the ministers and secretaries of state in the government. The outgoing government members are tasked with handling current affairs until further notice », declared Oumar Samba Ba.

Tensions had been building in recent months between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, the latter having previously mentored the president, who assumed office in April 2024. Sonko, an opponent of former President Macky Sall, had been barred from running for president and instead backed Faye as his replacement.

Updates on this developing story will follow