Pastef leader accuses President Diomaye of undermining party unity

Ousmane Sonko, leader of Senegal’s Pastef party, has exposed what he describes as deliberate efforts by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to sideline party structures during the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. In a press briefing on June 2, Sonko outlined concerns over direct consultations with ministers outside established party channels.

The accusations come amid growing tensions within the ruling coalition, with Sonko alleging that the President’s approach undermined the party’s internal democracy. « Consulting ministers individually contradicts the functioning of Pastef, a party with clear governing bodies, » he stated. « This is not how a political movement should operate. »

Direct appeals to ministers spark controversy

According to Sonko, multiple outgoing ministers were contacted directly by the Presidency to discuss their potential roles in the new administration. This, he argues, was part of a broader strategy to weaken Pastef’s cohesion. « The goal was to dismantle the party by bypassing its leadership, » he claimed. « These consultations were conducted in a way that excluded the party’s decision-making bodies. »

Sonko also dismissed claims that President Faye holds greater representativeness within the party. « He once told me he was the most representative figure in Pastef, » Sonko recounted. « I challenged him to hold a rally without me and see how many people show up—starting with his own commune of Ndiaganiao, which he cannot win. »

Failed attempts at dialogue

The Pastef leader revealed efforts to mediate between the Presidency and party structures, including a phone call to President Faye urging him to engage with party leadership. « I urged him to consult through Pastef’s official channels, but he refused, » Sonko explained. « Days later, he continued bypassing the party, reaching out to ministers and officials who ultimately refused to comply. »

Sonko confirmed that outgoing ministers had advised the new Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to involve the party’s leadership in consultations. « They explicitly told him the President should go through the party president, but he ignored this guidance, » he said. « He refused to meet with me or other designated officials. »

Behind-the-scenes mediation efforts

Describing the circumstances of his meeting with President Faye, Sonko disclosed that the encounter followed behind-the-scenes mediation led by the Prime Minister and other intermediaries. « After persistent efforts by Al Aminou Lo and others, the President invited me to the Palace late Monday evening, » he said. « I agreed to meet the following morning at 8 a.m., and that’s how the discussion took place. »