Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has fired Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko after years of simmering tension between the two former allies. The decision was announced by the secretary general of the government during a late-night broadcast on Friday.
The firing caps a period of open confrontation between the two leaders, who were once key figures in the Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité (PASTEF) party. Together, they had successfully defeated the former ruling party in previous elections.
However, relations between Faye and Sonko had deteriorated over time, leading to the president's decisive action. The move marks a significant shift in Senegal's political landscape, as the country navigates internal divisions within the ruling coalition.
Observers note that the dismissal could have implications for governance and policy direction in the West African nation. The government has not yet announced a successor for the prime minister position.
