Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has indicated he is prepared to pull his Pastef party out of government and return to the opposition if President Bassirou Diomaye Faye strays from the party’s vision.
Speaking in a live broadcast, Sonko warned that misalignment between the president and the party could lead to a “soft power-sharing” arrangement or even a more challenging cohabitation within the government.
The remarks come amid mounting pressure in Senegal, where unrest at universities and tense negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have created uncertainty. The IMF froze a $1.8 billion program in 2024 after the new government revealed more than $11 billion in previously misreported debt.
Sonko, who was previously barred from running for president, had supported Faye as his replacement in 2024. Following Faye’s election, Sonko was appointed prime minister.
However, tensions have emerged, including public disagreements over coalition leadership and debt restructuring talks, raising concerns among investors and rattling Senegal’s international bonds.
The situation underscores the fragile balance within Senegal’s ruling coalition and the broader economic challenges facing the country.
