Sonko accuses Diomaye Faye of undermining pastef in government formation

In a press conference held on June 2, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party and former Prime Minister of Senegal, made bold allegations regarding the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. His remarks centered on what he described as an attempt to sideline the party’s leadership during critical consultations.

Sonko revealed that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had engaged in direct outreach to several outgoing ministers. This approach, he argued, directly contradicted the party’s established procedures. “Consultations for government formation cannot be conducted on an individual basis with members of Pastef,” Sonko asserted. “Our party operates through structured leadership, and bypassing these bodies weakens our collective strength.”

a calculated strategy to destabilize Pastef

According to Sonko, the president’s actions were part of a deliberate strategy to fragment and destabilize the ruling party. “The goal was clear: to dismantle Pastef by bypassing its leadership and negotiating directly with members,” he stated. Sonko went further, questioning the president’s claim of being the most representative figure within the party. “He asserted his own significance within Pastef,” Sonko recounted. “I challenged him to prove it by organizing a rally without me. If he can gather even 100 people in his own hometown of Ndiaganiao, then we’ll talk.”

outgoing ministers advocate for party-led consultations

Sonko disclosed that several outgoing ministers had advised the new Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to consult with the party leadership before proceeding. However, he claimed these recommendations were ignored. “Ministers told Lo that the President should engage with the party president,” Sonko explained. “Yet, he refused to speak with me or the designated officials I had identified.”

Sonko also recounted a phone conversation with the President, where he urged Diomaye Faye to involve Pastef’s structures in the consultations. “I called him to insist on working through the party,” Sonko said. “He remained firm in his stance, and days later, continued reaching out to ministers and party members who ultimately refused to engage without party approval.”

a mediated reconciliation

The tense standoff culminated in a meeting between Sonko and Diomaye Faye, facilitated by mediation efforts—including those from Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. Sonko described the sequence of events: “After persistent mediation, the President sent a late-night message on June 1, requesting my presence at the Palace.” Initially unable to attend, Sonko agreed to meet the following morning at 8:00 AM.