BPN member denies secret pact between Faye and Sonko at Cap Manuel

Aldiouma Sow, a key figure in the Senegal political party Pastef les Patriotes, has publicly refuted claims of a secret agreement between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. In a detailed statement on his Facebook page, Sow addressed the ongoing political tensions in Senegal, particularly the rift between Faye and Sonko, which has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape.

A steadfast commitment to dialogue

Sow emphasized that President Faye’s engagement in political dialogue is not a temporary tactic but a deeply rooted principle, tracing back to his national dialogue appeal in May 2025. « For him, dialogue is not a situational adjustment but a core conviction, » Sow stated. He highlighted that Faye has dedicated « entire days to dialogue » despite no constitutional, ethical, or moral obligation to do so, reinforcing the president’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance.

Debunking the Cap Manuel conspiracy

Addressing persistent rumors of a secret pact forged in the Cap Manuel prison before Faye’s release, Sow dismissed the allegations outright. « Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye never entered into a secret pact at Cap Manuel, » he declared firmly. The statement comes in response to Sonko’s recent assertions of such an agreement, with Sow countering that it was actually other candidates who allegedly made sworn oaths—« hand on the Quran »—to hand power to Sonko upon assuming office.

Warning against destructive messianism

Sow took aim at what he described as a « destructive messianism » within the party, a trend he argues has endangered Pastef’s survival since 2022. He criticized recent decisions, including the sidelining of founding members in favor of last-minute allies during legislative and local elections that year. « The same pattern will recur in upcoming legislative and local elections, spelling the political demise of Pastef’s grassroots, » he cautioned, urging coordinators to « reject this messianic dictate. »

Defiance in the face of party pressures

To ministers who remained in the executive despite partisan pressures, Sow delivered a resolute message: « Take pride in your decision. You may be banned from WhatsApp and Telegram groups, excluded, or suspended from national party bodies, but no one can strip you of your place in the patriotic project. » His words served as a rallying cry for those who have chosen principle over party conformity.

A final plea to the undecided

Sow concluded with an appeal to undecided members, urging them to abandon the Sonko-driven dynamics before it’s too late. « To my fellow brothers and sisters, cadres, and deputies who may still be tempted by this destructive messianism, you have nothing to lose by reconsidering your stance, » he urged.