Me Oumar Youm : « Le limogeage d'Ousmane Sonko était attendu depuis très longtemps »
Invited to the JDD this Sunday, May 24, 2026, Oumar Youm gave his reading of the political and social situation in Senegal, marked according to him by strong institutional, economic and social tensions, before returning to the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
The former minister painted a worrying picture of the country, mentioning difficulties in several sectors. He cited in particular the strikes in universities and the health sector, the difficulties related to agricultural marketing, as well as the decline in purchasing power as Tabaski approaches.
In addition, he added concerns about "the state of the justice system," "the erosion of freedoms," and "the state of the press." Mr. Oumar Youm believes that Senegal is currently going through "a turbulent period" that requires a refocusing on "the essentials."
However, he maintains that he derives no political satisfaction from the difficulties faced by the current government. "We are Senegalese first and foremost," he insisted, lamenting the image of a country that has become "one of the most polarized in the world." According to him, this situation damages Senegal's international reputation and raises many questions abroad.
Asked about the dismissal of Ousmane Sonko by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Me Oumar Youm believes that this decision was expected "for a very long time".
“The disagreements had reached extraordinary levels,” he stated, emphasizing that public disagreements between a president and his prime minister make the normal functioning of the state impossible. According to him, the situation had become “unreadable,” to the point that Senegalese citizens and the country’s partners no longer knew “who truly held power.”
The former minister believes the head of state was acting within his constitutional role by terminating the Prime Minister's duties. "The president chooses his staff and can reconsider his choices," he reminded everyone, comparing this responsibility to that of a national team coach.
Mr. Oumar Youm also believes that this decision will clarify the functioning of the executive branch and make the State's orientations "more legible" for international investors and partners.
Returning to the relationship between the two heads of the executive branch, he criticized what he described as "arrogance" and "a lack of respect" on the part of the former Prime Minister. According to him, "a Prime Minister can never overpower a President," recalling that the Senegalese Constitution makes the Head of State "the keystone of the institutions."
The former minister acknowledges, however, that Ousmane Sonko's political stature, as the leader of a party with a parliamentary majority, created a unique situation. But he believes that no majority can justify an encroachment on presidential prerogatives.
Finally, Mr. Oumar Youm recalled that the President of the Republic has, in the Senegalese institutional system, "all the powers" necessary to manage crises and arbitrate conflicts at the top of the State.
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