Senegal president sacks PM Sonko, dissolves government amid rising tensions
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government amid ongoing political tensions. This decision follows months of friction between the two leaders, who were once allies. The political shakeup comes as Senegal faces significant economic challenges, including a debt crisis and scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund.
- ▪President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government.
- ▪The dismissal follows months of rising tensions between the two leaders, who were previously allies.
- ▪Senegal is currently grappling with a debt crisis, with the IMF freezing its $1.8 billion lending program due to misreported debt.
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Senegal president sacks PM Sonko, dissolves government after months of frictionSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFILE PHOTO: Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of the ruling party PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity) speaks during a political rally in Dakar, Senegal, November 8, 2025. REUTERS/Anait Miridzhanian/File PhotoPublished May 23, 2026, 07:10 AMUpdated May 23, 2026, 07:15 AMListenDAKAR, May 22 - Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday, according to a statement read on state media, a move that risks reigniting political unrest as the West African country grapples with a debt crisis.Faye's decision dissolves the government, dismissing all ministers, according to the statement…
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