Senegal President Bassirou ‌Diomaye Faye on Friday sacked Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, according to a statement ⁠read on national broadcaster RTS, in a move that risks deepening political tensions as the country grapples with heavy debt.

The decision follows months of mounting strains between the ‌two ⁠allies-turned-rivals.

Sonko, a charismatic figure with a large youth following, had backed Faye in the 2024 ⁠election after a defamation conviction barred him from running.

The secretary general ⁠of the presidency said in the statement that ⁠the government had been dissolved.

(Reuters)