Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government amid escalating political tensions on Friday.
State television announced the decision through a presidential decree read by aide Oumar Samba Ba during a national broadcast segment.
All ministers and secretaries of state were also relieved of duty as the entire government structure was effectively dissolved immediately.
No successor prime minister was announced leaving uncertainty over the next phase of leadership in the debt strained nation Senegal.
Ousmane Sonko responded on social media with gratitude and defiance saying he would sleep peacefully in Keur Gorgui district Dakar.
Supporters gathered outside his residence in Dakar greeting his return after midnight following the abrupt dismissal announcement and public chants.
The once close alliance between Faye and Sonko has deteriorated as tensions rise within Senegal’s ruling political movement Pastef party.
Senegal faces severe economic pressure with debt reaching 132 percent of GDP according to International Monetary Fund assessments official data.
Sonko recently criticised Western governments after a new law tightening penalties for same sex relations sparked international backlash including France.
Rising discord between president and prime minister deepens uncertainty over Senegal’s political future amid fragile economic and social stability conditions.