Senegal: Sonko-led party says it will not join new government after talks with Faye fail

In a statement posted on social media, Sonko said he met President Faye earlier in the day to discuss the formation of the new administration. While the two leaders confirmed areas of agreement, “points of disagreement” emerged, particularly over the role of the parliamentary majority within the executive framework.

“As a result, PASTEF will not participate in the next government and will not be represented by any ministers,” Sonko said, adding that the party wished the new administration “full success.”

The announcement came shortly before new Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo unveiled a 30-member cabinet. The new lineup retained Cheikh Diba as finance minister, with his portfolio expanded to include the economy ministry in a bid to improve policy “coherence,” according to the government.

However, the roster of ministers appointed by Lo included at least three prominent members of PASTEF, revealing a direct political challenge to Sonko’s attempt to pull the party completely out of the executive branch. The inclusion of these figures, despite the party leader’s public directive, highlights a growing internal division between Faye’s administration and Sonko’s legislative bloc.

The political rift unfolds against the backdrop of mounting economic pressure in Senegal, which is grappling with a debt crisis triggered by the revelation in 2024 of previously misreported liabilities by the former administration. The International Monetary Fund subsequently froze a $1.8 billion lending programme, pushing Senegal’s debt burden to around 132% of GDP.

Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament in May that talks with the IMF were expected to resume in June, with hopes of reaching agreement on key issues by the end of the month.

The latest tensions also follow a broader political reshuffle. President Faye recently dissolved the government and dismissed Sonko from his post, prompting the formation of the new cabinet under Prime Minister Lo. Despite this, lawmakers later reinstated Sonko to parliament and backed him as speaker, reinforcing his continued political influence.

Analysts say Sonko’s position could still shape the political landscape, given PASTEF’s large parliamentary majority and his strong opposition to IMF-backed reforms, including debt restructuring proposals.