Scoopfeeds — Intelligent news, curated.
Senegal's president sacks prime minister Sonko after months of tensions
international

Senegal's president sacks prime minister Sonko after months of tensions

BBC World · May 23, 2026, 8:34 AM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • A shock decree, read out on TV by a presidential aide, said Faye had "ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko... and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government".
  • Sonko, a popular figure among Senegal's youth, said on social media that he would "sleep with a light heart".
  • The split comes as the country faces mounting economic pressure, with its public debt having reached the equivalent of 132% of its GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.

Nicolas Negoce,BBC Africa,and Wedaeli Chibelushi AFP via Getty Images President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (right) owes his job, in large part, to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (left)Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the nation's government after months of tensions between the two men.

A shock decree, read out on TV by a presidential aide, said Faye had "ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko... and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government".

Sonko, a popular figure among Senegal's youth, said on social media that he would "sleep with a light heart".

Article preview — originally published by BBC World. Full story at the source.
Read full story on BBC World → More top stories

Also covered by

Aggregated and edited by the Scoop newsroom. We surface news from BBC World alongside other reporting so you can compare coverage in one place. Editorial policy · Corrections · About Scoop