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Senegal’s Prime Minister Signals Growing Rift with President, Threatens Coalition Fracture

DAKAR, Senegal – Senegal’s ruling coalition is facing a deepening internal crisis as Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered a sharply worded address Sunday, openly preparing supporters for a potential confrontation with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and even a return to the opposition. The escalating tensions raise questions about the stability of the government just over a year after the coalition swept to power.

Sonko, addressing PASTEF party supporters, framed his party as the driving force behind the coalition’s electoral success, despite being legally banned at the time of the presidential election. He asserted that PASTEF militants formed the overwhelming majority of voters who propelled Faye to the presidency. “If you count 100 voters, 90 were PASTEF militants,” he declared, emphasizing the party’s continued dominance within the country’s political landscape.

Currently, PASTEF holds a commanding majority in the National Assembly, with roughly 80 percent of its deputies affiliated with the party, and a majority of ministerial positions. Sonko argued this demonstrates PASTEF remains central to state authority, stating, “Anyone who believes it is possible to rule without PASTEF is deceiving himself.”

The Prime Minister laid down clear red lines, vowing to block any policy initiative that deviates from PASTEF’s core principles. “As long as I remain Prime Minister, government action will reflect PASTEF,” he stated, adding he would actively oppose measures he deems inconsistent with the party’s vision.

While reaffirming his respect for President Faye, Sonko emphasized the shared nature of constitutional authority, asserting his role as head of government and chief of public administration. He also sought to downplay perceptions of excessive power, noting his formal prerogatives are less extensive than those of previous prime ministers.

Perhaps most significantly, Sonko openly contemplated scenarios of political rupture, introducing the concept of “soft cohabitation” should disagreements arise, and warning of a potential shift to “hard confrontational cohabitation” if those disagreements prove irreconcilable. He even stated PASTEF would be prepared to return to the opposition if necessary, signaling a willingness to challenge the President directly.

Sonko also cautioned against unilateral constitutional changes, reminding supporters that any reforms must pass through Parliament – where PASTEF holds significant power – or be approved by referendum. “The President may propose,” he said, “but Parliament decides.”

The Prime Minister preemptively addressed concerns about personal ambition, stating he is not clinging to the premiership and would step down if asked by the President. However, he warned his departure could remove a “barrier” to a return to previous governance practices, hinting at resistance to reform within the system.

Sunday’s address marks a defining moment for Senegal’s post-election political configuration. While stopping short of an outright break, Sonko has unmistakably positioned himself and PASTEF as an autonomous power center prepared to confront, resist, or even withdraw from the government if necessary. The central question now is whether these tensions will lead to negotiated alignment or open confrontation within the executive. (Source: Gambiaj.com)