With the first ordinary congress of the Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party just weeks away, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, its Secretary-General Ousmane Sonko has released an extensive statement. This document meticulously chronicles the movement’s journey and articulates the ambitious objectives set for the upcoming gathering.

In his address, the former Prime Minister adopts a dual perspective: that of the founder, recalling the party’s humble beginnings in 2014, established “without financial means” or “influence networks,” and that of the shrewd strategist, posing the critical question of post-victory governance. He asserts, “History demonstrates that political disruptions can be absorbed if they lack a clear doctrine, a robust organization, or a long-term strategy.”

Sonko’s tribune outlines a compelling narrative arc, extending from the significant popular mobilizations of 2021-2024, which he characterizes as “one of the most intense periods in Senegal’s recent history,” leading up to the June 2026 congress. He envisions this congress as the pivotal moment marking PASTEF’s transformation “from a rupture movement into a fully organized political party.” Delegates from both national sections and the diaspora will convene to endorse an ideological charter, a strategic orientation document, party theses, and a comprehensive general resolution.

A central theme woven throughout the text is the concept of sovereignty, which Sonko defines not merely as a slogan, but as “a method of governance.” This encompasses critical areas such as natural resources management, budgetary decisions, agricultural policy, the national education system, and Senegal’s standing on the global stage. He further integrates a cultural dimension, advocating for the promotion of national languages, a re-engagement with historical narratives, mastery of modern technologies, and a broader pan-African ambition: to link national sovereignty with continent-wide economic and scientific integration.

Published amidst prevailing tensions within the executive branch and his own removal from government, Sonko’s tribune also serves as a clear signal: the founder of PASTEF intends to exert significant influence over the party’s ideological direction, irrespective of institutional fluctuations.