Shehu Sani Warns Faye-Sonko Rift Could Affect Youth Politics

Former Senator Shehu Sani, has expressed concern over the deepening political crisis in Senegal, warning that the collapse of the country’s youthful political movement could discourage similar aspirations among young Africans.

Sani made the remarks in a post shared on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to the fallout between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

According to him, many young Africans dream of taking over leadership from the older political generation to build societies driven by new ideas and innovation.

He noted that Senegal became a source of inspiration for many youths across the continent after Faye and Sonko led a political movement that defeated the country’s old political establishment.

“Young people always dream of taking power from the older generation and building a nation of their dreams and ideas,” Sani wrote.

“In Senegal, the dream was realised when they united and overthrew the old order. The young Faye became President and Sonko became Prime Minister,” he added.

The former federal lawmaker, who is also the APC candidate for Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, lamented that barely two years after assuming power, the alliance between both leaders had reportedly collapsed following Sonko’s dismissal as prime minister.

“Just two years in power, they are now fighting each other and Sonko is sacked. If the Senegalese revolution fails, it will certainly affect the chances of other young people across the African continent,” he stated.

Political tensions within Senegal’s ruling Pastef movement have intensified in recent months amid disagreements over economic reforms, debt management and control of the governing coalition.

Faye and Sonko, once close political allies, rose to power after the 2024 presidential election in which Sonko, barred from contesting, backed Faye as the movement’s candidate.

Reports indicate that the crisis reached a breaking point after President Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the government, deepening uncertainty within the ruling camp.

Observers say the development could have wider implications for youth-driven political movements across Africa, many of which had viewed Senegal’s political transition as a model for generational change.