The duo at the top of the Senegalese state is going through a turbulent period. During a live address last Sunday, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko sent a clear message: he will not hesitate to withdraw his party, PASTEF , from the government and return to the opposition if President Bassirou Diomaye Faye were to deviate from the initial political line.

An alliance under pressure

Since they came to power, rumors of dissension between the two long-time allies have been steadily growing. Although Sonko was the architect of Faye's election—after having himself been disqualified from the 2024 presidential race—the honeymoon appears to be coming to an end.

Points of friction are multiplying:

1. Strategic differences: In November, contradictory statements from both sides revealed opposing views on the direction of the coalition.
2. University crisis: Episodes of violence in universities have heightened social tensions.
3. The loyalty "debate": When asked about his relationship with the President, Sonko settled the matter by stating that any controversy would be pointless "if the president remained aligned with his party."

The shadow of the IMF and debt

The economic situation is undoubtedly the most pressing. After revealing a hidden debt of over $11 billion inherited from the previous administration, Sonko's government is facing a financial impasse.

As a result, the IMF froze a $1.8 billion program planned for 2024. Ousmane Sonko firmly rejected the debt restructuring proposals from the international institution, a sovereignist stance that caused a sharp fall in the value of Senegalese bonds on world markets.

In summary: What was once a monolithic bloc is now showing cracks. Between ideological rigor and state pragmatism, the balance of power in Dakar seems more fragile than ever.