Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his ruling party have issued conflicting statements over who leads their governing coalition, exposing signs of division within the country’s leadership as it seeks to revive stalled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The dispute comes as Senegal tries to secure a new lending program after the IMF froze a $1.8 billion support package last year. The Fund’s suspension followed the government’s disclosure of hidden debts exceeding $11 billion, which it attributes to the previous administration.
President Faye on Tuesday appointed former Prime Minister Aminata Touré, a close ally, to head the coalition of parties that backed his campaign earlier this year. But the ruling Pastef party, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, rejected the move, saying it continued to recognize Aissatou Mbodj, a Sonko loyalist, as coalition leader.
The contradictory announcements point to a widening rift between Faye and Sonko — long-time allies who have publicly denied any power struggle. Sonko, a charismatic figure popular among Senegal’s youth, handpicked Faye as his replacement in the 2024 presidential election after being barred from running himself. Faye later named Sonko as prime minister.
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The internal tension has heightened concerns about delays in talks with the IMF. On Wednesday, Senegal’s international bonds fell more than three cents, hitting a four-month low, as investors reacted to signs of political instability and uncertainty over debt negotiations.
Over the weekend, Sonko accused IMF officials of pushing for a debt restructuring, a proposal he said Dakar would not accept. “The government will not agree to restructuring,” Sonko said, arguing it would harm national sovereignty.
An IMF spokesperson, in response, said discussions with Senegal had covered “various options to address significant debt vulnerabilities,” but emphasized that any restructuring decision “is ultimately a sovereign choice.
The IMF’s suspension of the previous $1.8 billion facility followed revelations that Senegal’s debt burden had ballooned beyond earlier estimates. The hidden liabilities — now estimated above $11 billion, were linked to projects and loans not previously disclosed to the Fund.
Faye’s administration has pledged to restore fiscal transparency and accountability, but political infighting could complicate those efforts. Analysts say the government needs to secure IMF backing to stabilize public finances and reassure investors.