Ndiaye announced his resignation on Sunday, less than 48 hours after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired Sonko amid escalating tensions between the two longtime political allies.
In a message posted on social media, Ndiaye said his decision came “after deep reflection” and was driven by “a personal choice, guided above all by my understanding of institutions, public responsibility and the supreme interest of the Nation.”
The resignation is widely seen as a move by Sonko’s camp as divisions widen within the ruling Pastef party, which swept to power in the 2024 elections on promises of sweeping reforms, anti-corruption measures and economic recovery.
Ndiaye, a close ally of Sonko, leaves behind a powerful position that could now pave the way for the ousted prime minister to seek leadership of parliament, where Pastef holds an overwhelming majority with 130 of the National Assembly’s 165 seats.
Senegal’s National Assembly is expected to examine Sonko’s possible return to parliament on Tuesday, when lawmakers are also due to appoint Ndiaye’s successor. If elected speaker, Sonko would become the country’s second-highest state official, potentially intensifying tensions between the legislative and executive branches.
The fallout marks a dramatic turn for Faye and Sonko, whose alliance dominated Senegalese politics over the past two years. Faye’s rise to the presidency in 2024 was largely credited to Sonko’s backing after the former prime minister was barred from contesting the election because of a defamation conviction.
Both men, former tax inspectors turned opposition figures, were jailed ahead of the election under the administration of former President Macky Sall before being released days before the vote. Faye later won the presidency with 54 percent of the vote.
The political uncertainty comes at a delicate time for Senegal’s economy, as the government seeks to revive negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the lender suspended a $1.8 billion support programme following revelations of hidden debt under the previous administration.
Before Sonko’s dismissal on Friday, Finance Minister Cheikh Diba had told parliament that Senegal hoped to resume talks with the IMF in June and secure an agreement on key issues by the end of the month.
Sonko, who has largely remained silent since his dismissal, is expected to address supporters during Pastef’s national congress scheduled for June 6, where he could outline his next political move.
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