Ousmane sonko breaks silence on his dismissal as Senegal’s prime minister

In a candid address, Ousmane Sonko, former Prime Minister of Senegal and leader of PASTEF-Les Patriotes, has shared his account of the events leading to his abrupt removal from office. The political figure outlined the discussions he claimed to have had with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye prior to his dismissal, shedding light on the tensions within the executive branch.

Key moments in the final days of his premiership

According to Sonko, the situation escalated on May 25, following his address to the National Assembly. He recounted being summoned by the Head of State shortly after his parliamentary intervention, where he was informed that their collaboration had become untenable due to statements he had made that fueled significant political unrest.

A foreseeable yet contested transition

The former Prime Minister maintained that he had repeatedly raised the possibility of leaving the government after the legislative elections. He proposed two alternatives to the President: either returning to his parliamentary duties to allow for the appointment of a new Prime Minister or engaging in further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable political solution. While Sonko insisted that he had broached this topic on multiple occasions, he claimed it had been dismissed by the President until that point.

Signs of a brewing crisis

Sonko revealed that for weeks, he had observed growing strains between the two leaders. He stated that he had brought these concerns to the President’s attention during several meetings, though no concrete plans for a transition were discussed in their final encounter. The former Prime Minister also rejected any portrayal of his dismissal as a harmonious parting of ways, emphasizing that the decision was communicated abruptly.

From dismissal to a new political phase

The announcement of his removal came unexpectedly. Sonko disclosed that the President had indicated plans to resume discussions after a scheduled visit to the Archbishop of Dakar during Pentecost celebrations. However, by that evening, he received a message confirming the decision to relieve him of his duties. Minutes later, the official announcement was made by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, marking the end of his tenure.

The political shift leaves Sonko poised to return to the National Assembly, signaling a new chapter in his career and a pivotal moment in the evolving dynamics between him and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Their once-collaborative alliance, instrumental in Senegal’s political transition, now faces uncharted territory as observers closely monitor the shifting power dynamics within the government.