Senegalese politician accuses sonko of messianic shift

Senegal’s political landscape continues to witness sharp internal divisions within the ruling Pastef party, with Aldiouma Sow, a prominent figure in President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s camp, delivering a scathing critique of Ousmane Sonko. Speaking live on TFM television on July 6, 2026, Sow accused Sonko of undergoing a radical transformation since taking office, alleging the emergence of a messianic leadership style that contradicts the party’s original ethos.

Sow, who has recently aligned himself with the president while distancing from Sonko, argued that the Pastef leader concealed his true intentions while in opposition. Only after assuming power, he claimed, did Sonko’s messianism become apparent—a development Sow described as incompatible with the party’s founding values. According to him, Pastef’s early supporters joined a collective political project, not a personality-driven regime, and this shift has led the party into a political deadlock.

Sow’s remarks reinforce weeks of public criticism against Sonko, coinciding with President Faye’s decision to distance himself from the party by launching his own political movement. The growing rift between the head of state and the Assembly president has intensified speculation about the future direction of Senegal’s ruling coalition.

From opposition to power: a broken promise?

Sow’s televised intervention underscores a broader unease among some within the ruling party, who now view Sonko’s leadership as a departure from the principles that once defined Pastef. His claims suggest that Sonko’s evolution mirrors longstanding opposition criticisms, which have consistently warned against centralized power and individual ambition within the movement.

What’s next for Pastef?

The public spat between Sow and Sonko highlights the fragility of Senegal’s political alliances as the 2027 elections loom. With President Faye steering his own political course, the coming months may determine whether Pastef can reunite under a shared vision—or fracture further under competing ambitions.