Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye warned that the ruling party he co-founded with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko ‘is on a trajectory that risks leading it to its downfall if nothing is done.’
Speaking on state broadcaster RTS on Saturday (2 May), Faye said the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef) could face decline if it becomes overly reliant on individual leadership rather than its broader political mission.
“Pastef is on a trajectory that risks leading it to its downfall if nothing is done,” said Faye.
“Pastef isn’t just Ousmane and me,” he added. “We have always sought to separate the project from the leader.”
The comments come as tensions intensify between the two figures against a backdrop of economic strain and ongoing IMF negotiations linked to previously undisclosed debt, prompting the IMF to suspend a $1.8 billion facility in 2024.
“There is no break with the IMF, we want a programme and we continue discussions with the Fund,” Faye said. He added that growth had increased and the fiscal deficit had declined despite the IMF’s absence, saying “this shows the country is well managed.”
Sonko has previously indicated he could return Pastef to opposition if his vision is not followed, further highlighting the split.
“The prime minister is there because he benefits from my confidence,” Faye said. “Once that confidence is broken, there will be a new prime minister.”
Senegal recently slashed its 2026 growth forecast to 2.5%, half of what it previously projected. IMF estimates the nation’s growth at 2.2% based on lower revenues from oil and gas compared to the previous year.
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