Senegal Political Crisis: President Faye Warns PM Sonko’s Party Risks National Collapse
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has issued a stark warning that the ruling party led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko risks tearing the nation apart, fueling fears of a full-blown political crisis in one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.
In a nationally televised address on Monday, Faye accused Sonko’s party of pursuing a “soloist” approach to governance that undermines institutional checks and balances. The comments marked the deepest public rift yet between the two leaders who, just months ago, rode a wave of nationalist sentiment to a historic electoral victory.
“You cannot build a nation by excluding half of its people,” Faye said. “What we are seeing now is not patriotism—it is a recipe for collapse.”
Sonko’s Pastef party, which won a commanding majority in last year’s legislative elections, has pushed aggressively for constitutional reforms and the dismissal of officials seen as loyal to the former government. Several ministers have been forced out, and the parliament has been dissolved twice in under a year, creating legislative paralysis.
The political standoff has rattled investors and raised concerns among international partners. The African Union and ECOWAS have both issued statements calling for dialogue and respect for democratic norms.
Senegal, long considered a beacon of democratic stability in a region plagued by coups and authoritarian rule, has seen its reputation tested in recent months. The economy has shown signs of strain, with foreign investment slowing and the currency under pressure.
Opposition leaders have called for an emergency national summit to resolve the crisis. Youth organizations—the same groups that propelled Faye and Sonko to power—have taken to social media to condemn what they call a “betrayal of the revolution.”
The next parliamentary session is scheduled for June, where the confrontation is expected to intensify.