Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Sunday jointly watched the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, a rare public moment of unity at a time when their political relationship is facing its first visible strain.
Despite months of openly acknowledged political divergence, the two leaders followed the high-stakes encounter in an atmosphere charged with passion, hope, and tension, as Senegal chased a historic football milestone.
The match ended in an epic and hard-fought victory for Senegal, triggering spontaneous celebrations outside the Presidential Palace and across the country. The scenes of jubilation unfolded against a sensitive political backdrop.
Senegal is currently witnessing an evolving balance of power between the presidency and the Prime Minister’s office, with growing attention on how this dynamic may shape the direction of governance in the months ahead.
While Sonko serves as Prime Minister, he remains the political figure with unrivalled influence over the grassroots structures of Pastef, including its mobilization capacity and communications networks. President Faye, by contrast, embodies the institutional authority and continuity of the state, occupying the country’s highest constitutional office.
Once perceived as a seamless and indivisible partnership, their alliance—forged through years of shared struggle in opposition campaigns, court battles, and imprisonment—now appears to be negotiating its first major fracture.
That bond was the backbone of the political movement that dramatically reshaped Senegal’s political landscape in 2024.
Yet, on this night, football momentarily eclipsed politics. In a gesture underscoring the unifying power of sport, President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko stepped out to meet the crowds celebrating the victory, sharing moments of joy, pride, and national communion with jubilant supporters.
By lifting Senegal’s flag to the summit of African football, the Lions of Senegal delivered more than a continental title. They offered the nation a rare moment of collective emotion and unity, rallying citizens around shared symbols and a common sense of national pride.
And as a symbol of the celebrations in national unity, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced that today is a nationwide paid public holiday to allow Senegalese to celebrate the historic achievement and welcome the national team.
“This Monday will be considered a paid day off. Senegalese will be celebrating. We will then have to welcome the Lions as they deserve and congratulate them,” the head of state declared in a televised address on RTS.
As Senegal navigates the complex challenge of governance and coalition management, the AFCON victory served as a reminder that, even amid political tension, moments of national unity remain possible—if only briefly—when the country celebrates as one.
