Serious internal divisions within Senegal’s Pastef party have resurfaced, revealing deep fractures in the movement. During a televised appearance on TFM this past Monday, prominent politician Aldiouma Sow leveled sharp criticism at party leader Ousmane Sonko, accusing him of having undergone a fundamental transformation since ascending to power.

Sow, now aligned with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s faction, claimed Sonko never displayed his true character while in opposition. He argued that only after gaining power did Sonko’s messianic tendencies emerge—behaviors Sow considers fundamentally incompatible with the party’s founding principles. According to Sow, militants joined Pastef for a collective political vision, not a personality cult.

Violation of initial principles

In Sow’s view, Sonko’s evolution represents a betrayal of Pastef’s original ethos, pushing the movement into a political deadlock. He suggested this shift validates long-standing opposition claims about the party’s current leadership. These remarks follow weeks of increasingly vocal support for President Faye by Sow, who has simultaneously distanced himself from Sonko.

Power struggle intensifies

The allegations come amid escalating tensions between President Faye and National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko. Notably, Faye recently broke away from Pastef to establish his own political formation, further straining relations within Senegal’s political landscape.