Bassirou Diomaye Faye

An audit ordered by Faye revealed deficits and debt far exceeding previous figures, triggering a freeze of the IMF programme and a financing crisis that dominated the beginning of his term.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Faye dismissed Sonko as Prime Minister and dissolved the government following months of tensions, while Senegal was engaged in difficult negotiations with the IMF.

Attribution

Political responsibility

Faye established his own party, Kiiraay–Les Patriotes républicains, formalising his break with Sonko's PASTEF following a dispute over constitutional amendments and the president's right to lead a party.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Faye was released under an amnesty law passed during Macky Sall's presidency, covering political acts from 2021 to 2024 and strongly criticised because it also prevented some victims' families from obtaining justice.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Under Faye, Senegal closed French military bases and presented the move as a milestone towards a more balanced and sovereign defence relationship.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The presidency and PASTEF issued contradictory statements over coalition leadership, revealing the rift between Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

PASTEF secretary-general Bassirou Diomaye Faye was detained from April 2023 following a Facebook post criticising judges; reported charges included insult and offences against state security amid pre-election repression.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

The Faye–Sonko campaign had highlighted the possibility of a national currency to replace the CFA franc; a few days before the election, the pair clarified that regional reform would be pursued first before any national option.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Faye ordered an audit of the oil, gas and mining sectors and announced an intention to review, and potentially renegotiate, certain foreign contracts considered unfavourable to the national interest.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Faye dissolved the National Assembly, dominated by supporters of the former government, and called early legislative elections, saying he needed a majority to implement his programme.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility