Senegal President Faye dismisses Prime Minister Sonko
President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Saturday. The intra-coalition tension between the two figures from the same political bloc had been slowing governance decisions since the start of the year; the move pushed bond yields higher in West African markets.
According to Anadolu Ajansı, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced through a decree published at midnight on Saturday that he was ending the duties of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the government team. Presidential spokesperson Birame Soulèye Diop said an interim cabinet will handle day-to-day affairs until a new prime minister is appointed. In a statement, the Pastef party said Sonko accepted the dismissal 'with respect' and will 'respond democratically through the ballot box'.
Faye and Sonko came to power together after Senegal's March 2024 election, on a 'system change' platform. Since the start of this year, public disagreements between the two had emerged on oil-field revenue sharing, structuring talks with the West African States Central Bank (BCEAO), and the renegotiation of an iron-ore partnership with a Chinese investor. Senegal's IMF programme stands at $3.1 billion, with the next review previously postponed to early September.
In the regional market, Eco-zone bond yields rose by 28 basis points, while the CFA franc's fixed parity with the euro showed limited spillover. UEMOA Commission President Abdoulaye Diop told Reuters that 'we will safeguard the message of institutional stability for the region'. EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen said from Brussels that 'we reiterate our confidence in Senegal's democratic institutions'. Faye is expected to announce the new prime minister on Monday morning.
More from Africa
Argentina to gradually eliminate taxes on some industrial exports
Argentina's Ministry of Economy announced, via a decree signed by President Javier Milei, that it will gradually eliminate taxes on industrial exports including automotive, machinery and electronics by 2027. The move was unveiled in line with an additional target under the $20 billion IMF programme.
DRC health minister warns 'very high' Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80
The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo warned that the lethality rate of an Ebola outbreak in the country's east is exceptionally high. The official death toll has reached 80, and local authorities flag a shortage of treatment-centre capacity.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.