Sonko’s account of clashes with Senegal’s president faye amid prime ministerial dismissal

Ousmane Sonko, the former Prime Minister of Senegal, has broken his silence following his abrupt dismissal from office, offering a detailed account of his final interactions with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye-Diakhar. In a candid address to the public, he outlined the growing rifts that emerged during their two-year collaboration, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes tensions that ultimately led to his removal.

Disagreements rooted in divergent visions

The leader of the PASTEF party revealed that the misalignment between his administration and the president’s expectations had been brewing for some time. « What we’ve implemented over the past two years does not align with the original Project’s vision, » he stated. « That’s why the possibility of my dismissal was already under discussion. »

A deliberation at the presidential palace

Sonko recounted his recent address to the National Assembly as the catalyst for a high-stakes meeting with the president at the Palais présidentiel. During their conversation, he claims the head of state expressed concerns about statements made by the former Prime Minister that conflicted with government objectives.

« He made it clear that continuing our partnership would be challenging due to these discrepancies, » Sonko explained. « I told him the decision was ultimately his to make. » He emphasized that he refused to frame their discussion as a negotiation for compromise, asserting, « We did not negotiate, and it should not be portrayed as such. »

An offer to step aside—and its rejection

The former Prime Minister disclosed that he had proposed relocating from the Prime Minister’s office to the National Assembly on multiple occasions, believing his presence might be hindering the executive branch’s efficiency. « Three times, I suggested: If you believe my role is overshadowing yours, let’s discuss it, and I’ll transition to the Assembly. We could appoint another PASTEF Prime Minister, » he shared. However, the president declined each offer, with Minister Alioune Sall reportedly present for some of these exchanges.

Sonko further revealed that President Faye requested a brief period to reflect before their next meeting. « Upon returning home, I received a message stating he would announce his decision shortly, » he said. His dismissal followed shortly after, as confirmed by the subsequent announcement.