Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has firmly denied speculation of a rift between him and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, insisting that their partnership remains strong and focused on addressing the pressing needs of the nation.
The reassurance came during a public appearance on Monday, where President Faye received the report from the National Dialogue on the political system.
His remarks followed a flurry of media speculation sparked by Sonko’s comments last Friday, in which the prime minister called for greater decisiveness from the president and condemned a surge in personal attacks—reportedly from media figures aligned with opposition interests.
Seeking to clarify the nature of their relationship, President Faye stated: “The Prime Minister said it. He is my friend. There is no conflict between us. (…) The only fight worth fighting is the fight against the difficulties that the Senegalese people are enduring, that we ourselves are enduring as a government.”
The president’s remarks appeared aimed at ending mounting conjecture over political tensions at the top level of Senegal’s executive. Observers had noted Sonko’s unusually direct appeal for the head of state to act with more resolve, interpreting it as a possible sign of discord.
However, Faye emphasized that the challenges facing Senegal—ranging from economic stagnation to social unrest—require unity and cohesion within the leadership. “We call for unity in the face of economic and social challenges,” he declared, underscoring that the government’s mission transcends individual disagreements.
The political alliance between Faye and Sonko is deeply rooted in their shared history. Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, handpicked Faye as the party’s candidate after he was barred from the February 2024 presidential race. Faye went on to win in the first round, defeating the ruling coalition’s candidate and ushering in a new era of governance.
As speculation fades, the administration now turns its focus to implementing the “Senegal 2050” vision—a strategic development plan spearheaded by both leaders to modernise
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