Overview
- President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday, May 22, and the move caused the entire government to fall.
- El Malick Ndiaye, the parliament president and Sonko ally, resigned and a parliamentary vote scheduled for Tuesday could elevate Sonko to lead the National Assembly.
- Faye has named Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô, a former regional central bank official, as the new prime minister.
- The rupture centers on public finances after audits found more than €7 billion of previously hidden debt, pushed debt-to-GDP above 130%, and led the IMF to freeze a €1.5 billion loan program while demanding reforms.
- Pastef’s June 6 congress will likely decide whether Sonko’s strong youth-backed grassroots support or Faye’s presidential authority controls the party and who emerges as the main contender for the 2029 race.