Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Senegal President and PM Clash Over Ruling Party Leadership
Imagine two friends, the President and the Prime Minister, who both belong to the same team called Pastef.
Recently, they haven't agreed on who should be in charge of their team's fan club.
The President picked one person, but the party, which the Prime Minister leads, said they still like the other person they had chosen.
This disagreement is happening while they are trying to get money from a big bank called the IMF.
The Prime Minister also said the bank wants them to change how they pay back money they borrowed, but he doesn't want to.
This situation is making people worried and causing problems for the country's money, and the President hasn't said much about what the Prime Minister said.
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's ruling party have issued conflicting statements over coalition leadership.
President Faye appointed Aminata Toure to lead the ruling coalition, but the Pastef party insists on recognizing Aissatou Mbodj.
The dispute occurs during sensitive negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new lending program.
Prime Minister Sonko stated the IMF is pushing for debt restructuring, which he opposes, causing Senegal's bonds to drop.
An IMF spokesperson confirmed discussions on debt vulnerabilities but stated restructuring is a sovereign decision.
- Who
- Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's ruling party, Pastef
- What
- Issued conflicting statements regarding the leadership of the ruling coalition, indicating dissension among top leaders amidst IMF negotiations.
- When
- Recent days, with statements over the weekend and Tuesday.
- Where
- Dakar, Senegal
- Why
- Disagreement over the leadership of the ruling coalition and differing stances on potential IMF debt restructuring plans.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Ruling Pastef Party (Close to PM Ousmane Sonko)
Leadership of the Ruling Coalition
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President Faye appointed former Prime Minister Aminata Toure to lead the coalition of parties that supported his presidential campaign.
Ruling Pastef Party (Close to PM Ousmane Sonko)
The ruling Pastef party stated it would continue to recognize Aissatou Mbodj, who is close to Prime Minister Sonko, as the leader of the coalition.
IMF Debt Restructuring
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President Faye has not commented on Prime Minister Sonko's remarks regarding the IMF.
Ruling Pastef Party (Close to PM Ousmane Sonko)
Prime Minister Sonko stated that IMF officials were pushing for a debt restructuring, which the government would not accept.
- President
- Bassirou Diomaye Faye
- Prime Minister
- Ousmane Sonko
- Political Party
- Pastef
- IMF Package
- $1.8 billion (frozen)
- Estimated Hidden Debt
- Over $11 billion