In a candid interview, Yankhoba Diémé, Senegal’s Minister of Communication, has sharply criticized former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, accusing him of adopting a strategy rooted in victim mentality to undermine President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s leadership.

Diémé condemned what he described as Sonko’s deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception by portraying himself as a victim, even as he allegedly oversteps ethical boundaries. “A person who insists on playing both victim and aggressor inevitably loses credibility,” Diémé stated, emphasizing that such tactics risk distorting the true narrative.

Indemnification delays: President Faye exonerated

Addressing concerns over delayed compensation for former detainees, the Minister dismissed claims that President Faye was responsible for the holdups. “Rumors suggesting the President obstructed payments are baseless,” he asserted. “During a cabinet meeting, clear directives were issued to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Family Affairs to expedite the process.”

Diémé also questioned the narrative surrounding Ousmane Sonko’s decision to donate his four-million-CFA salary to victims. While acknowledging the gesture, he argued that this should not overshadow the state’s duty to fulfill its obligations.

Political funds controversy exposed

The Minister highlighted a critical financial discrepancy: the Prime Minister’s office reportedly held 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds. “This amount could have resolved the compensation backlog multiple times over,” he noted, citing financial simulations to support his claim. He suggested that transparency in fund allocation was long overdue.

Constitutional revision: a betrayal of dialogue

Critiquing the recent constitutional amendments, Diémé accused certain political figures of undermining the spirit of national dialogue initiated by President Faye. “The President called for unity, but some turned the process into parliamentary trickery,” he said, condemning what he termed a ‘legislative swindle.’

Macky Sall’s presence: legal and constitutional

Responding to public outcry over former President Macky Sall’s freedom of movement in Senegal, Diémé defended President Faye’s stance. “The Head of State is acting within his constitutional mandate,” he explained. “Sall faces no legal charges, and Senegalese law strictly regulates any proceedings against former presidents.”

He cautioned against baseless accusations, stressing that only lawmakers can initiate high-treason proceedings. “Accusing without evidence and then claiming heroism is hypocritical,” he remarked. Diémé concluded by affirming that if Macky Sall clarifies outstanding issues, a meeting with President Faye would align with republican principles.