Senegal's political crisis deepens amid president, parliament speaker fallout

Senegal's political landscape has been thrown into uncertainty after former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced that his ruling Pastef party would not participate in President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's newly appointed government, exposing deepening divisions at the top of the country's leadership.

The announcement preceded the unveiling of a new cabinet by recently appointed Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô.

In a lengthy social media post on his official platforms, Sonko revealed that an earlier meeting with President Faye had failed to resolve key differences over the future direction of the ruling party and government.

"Some points of agreement were indeed confirmed, but also, above all, points of disagreement," Sonko said. "Pastef will not take part and will not be represented by any ministers."

He nevertheless wished the new government success.

Lô subsequently unveiled a 30-member cabinet, retaining Finance Minister Cheikh Diba and expanding his responsibilities to include the economy portfolio. 

The prime minister said the move would improve policy coordination as the government seeks to restore investor confidence and stabilize public finances.

Despite Sonko's declaration, the cabinet unveiled by Lô appeared to include at least three members affiliated with Pastef, creating uncertainty over the party's exact position in the new administration.

The cabinet announcements came one week after President Faye picked Lô to succeed Sonko, who he sacked just days earlier.

In a series of quick parliamentary manoeuvres, Sonko regained his seat in the National Assembly before being elected its president.

The latest developments in the West African nation risk plunging the country into a legislative gridlock. 

Sonko remains the leader of Pastef, the party he founded in 2014. The movement currently controls 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal's National Assembly, giving it overwhelming legislative dominance.

The alliance between Faye and Sonko had been central to Pastef's rise to power. After winning the presidency in April 2024, Faye immediately appointed Sonko as prime minister. 

Sonko had been barred from contesting the presidential election because of a defamation conviction, paving the way for Faye's candidacy.

However, tensions between the two leaders have become increasingly visible over the past year. In July, Sonko publicly accused Faye of displaying a "failure of leadership" by not defending him against political critics. 

More recently, Faye argued that Pastef needed to be "depersonalized" and not revolve around any single individual.

Differences over economic policy have also emerged. While Faye has signaled openness to working with the IMF on a new financial support program, Sonko has advocated for a more sovereign economic approach, emphasizing reduced dependence on external lenders.

Analysts say the growing rivalry between Senegal's two most influential political figures could test the cohesion of the ruling movement at a time when the country faces significant economic pressures.

Prime Minister Lô said President Faye will chair the first meeting of the new cabinet on Friday, as the administration begins the task of addressing Senegal's fiscal challenges amid an increasingly uncertain political environment.

(With input from wires)