Sonko accuses Diomaye of undermining Pastef in government formation

In a press briefing held on June 2, Ousmane Sonko, leader of Senegal’s Pastef party, made public remarks about tensions surrounding the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. The former Prime Minister criticized what he described as an attempt to sideline the party’s leadership during consultations for the new cabinet.

The accusations center on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s alleged direct outreach to outgoing ministers, bypassing the formal structures of Pastef. « Several former ministers were contacted individually for government consultations, » Sonko stated. « This violates the party’s organizational principles. Pastef operates through its governing bodies, and all decisions must go through them. »

Alleged strategy to weaken Pastef

Sonko went further, suggesting that these actions were part of a deliberate strategy to weaken his party. « The President sought to negotiate directly with members, undermining Pastef’s leadership, » he claimed. « This is an attempt to dismantle the party from within. »

During the briefing, Sonko also addressed claims made by the President regarding his own influence within Pastef. « He asserted that he is the most representative figure in the party, » Sonko recounted. « I told him to prove it by holding a rally without me. If he can gather even a hundred people, especially in Ndiaganiao—his own hometown where he has never won—then we’ll talk. »

Rejected recommendations and missed opportunities

According to Sonko, outgoing ministers advised Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo to consult with Pastef’s leadership before finalizing the government. « They explicitly told him that all discussions should go through me and the party’s executive board, » he explained. « Yet, the Prime Minister refused to engage with me or those I designated. »

Sonko revealed that he personally urged the President to follow the party’s protocols. « I called him to insist that consultations pass through Pastef, » he said. « He refused. Days later, he continued reaching out to ministers and party officials, who ultimately declined his invitations. »

Behind the scenes: a mediated meeting

The leader of Pastef also shared details of his first meeting with President Faye after weeks of strained relations. The encounter, he said, was facilitated by mediation efforts, including those led by the current Prime Minister. « After persistent mediation—particularly by Al Aminou Lo and others—we finally met, » Sonko explained. « He sent me a message late Monday evening asking me to come to the Palace. I replied that I couldn’t come immediately but would arrive the next morning at 8 AM. That’s when the meeting took place. »