Senegal appoints economist as new PM after Sonko's sacking

Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo was appointed Senegal’s prime minister, replacing Ousmane Sonko after Sonko was sacked and the government was dissolved. All government members resigned following the dismissal. Lo previously led Senegal’s branch of the Central Bank of West African States and served as state minister to the president and secretary-general of Sonko’s government. He is expected to form a new government while addressing a difficult financial situation. Senegal faces a debt burden of about 132% of GDP, and the IMF froze a $1.8 billion loan after misreported debt was discovered. Faye and Sonko had disagreed over negotiations to revive the IMF program.

"Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the African nation's new prime minister. Lo is replacing Ousmane Sonko, who was sacked on Friday, after months of simmering tensions between him and the president. The sacking led to the resignation of all the members of the government and its dissolution. Lo, who will now have to form a new government, previously served as head of the Senegal branch of the Central Bank of West African States."

"Lo knows "the inner workings of the economy and finance," a presidential decree on announcing his appointment said. After the appointment, the new prime minister appeared on state television and referred to the country's "difficult financial situation." "We must all be aware of the state of emergency our country currently finds itself in. In particular, the state of public finances and its impact on the economy," the new premier said."

""Senegal is a safe and reliable country and intends to remain so." Senegal has been struggling with a massive debt burden amounting to 132% of GDP. Following the discovery of misreported debt, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) froze a $1.8 billion loan to the country. Faye and Sonko had openly disagreed on the negotiations for a revival of the program with the IMF."

"The two men were former allies from the party known as Pastef, an acronym from its French name, Patriotes Africains du Senegal pour le Travail, l'Ethique et la Fraternite ("African Patriots for Work, Ethics and Brotherhood"). Sonko heads the party. But he was barred from running for president in 2024 after a defamation conviction was upheld by Senegal's supreme court and the Constitutional Court dismissed"

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