Political tensions are simmering in Senegal as Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko warns his Pastef party could exit the governing coalition if President Bassirou Diomaye Faye strays from its agenda. Speaking during a live broadcast, Sonko said alignment within the party remains crucial, hinting that a deeper rift could trigger a return to opposition. The comments were a remarkable threat from Sonko, who handpicked Faye as his presidential stand-in when legal troubles barred Sonko from running. The friction comes amid campus unrest and delicate negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, which froze a $1.8 billion program in 2024 after more than $11 billion in previously undisclosed debt surfaced. With markets already rattled by mixed signals over debt restructuring, any widening divide at the top could further complicate Senegal’s efforts to secure fresh financing.
Reuters
