Sonko details the behind-the-scenes of his removal as Prime Minister

Former Prime Minister and Pastef party leader, Ousmane Sonko, has shed light on the events leading to his dismissal from the government. Speaking at a press briefing, he provided his account of the circumstances surrounding his separation from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

According to Ousmane Sonko, the decisive moment came on Friday, May 25, following his appearance at the National Assembly. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye reached out to schedule an urgent meeting. During their discussion, the President expressed concerns about the challenges posed by continued collaboration. “He explained that continuing our partnership would be very difficult, citing my statements in Parliament as a major source of contention,” Sonko recounted.

Ongoing tensions and unheeded warnings

The former head of government revealed that he had previously discussed the possibility of stepping down with the President on multiple occasions. “After the legislative elections, we met three times, in the presence of witnesses. I made it clear that if my role in the Executive became an obstacle to his agenda, I could return to the Assembly to ensure smoother collaboration. However, he consistently refused,” he stated.

Sonko also noted that he had sensed growing tensions within the government for weeks. “There were signals indicating potential issues ahead. I addressed this directly with him. As Prime Minister, I was effectively under his supervision. During our final conversation, we did not discuss the terms of my departure. He expected me to accept the decision gracefully and issue a joint statement affirming that we parted on good terms. I declined,” he explained.

Proposed solutions and unanswered calls

The leader of Pastef claimed he had offered two alternatives to the President: either his return to the National Assembly, allowing the majority to appoint a new Prime Minister, or further negotiations to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Alternatively, he suggested that the President make the final call to remove him from office.

Sonko recounted that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had indicated they would resume discussions after a visit to the Archbishop of Dakar as part of Pentecost celebrations. “He told me he would reconnect after his trip to finalize our agreement. However, at exactly 8:35 PM, I received a message informing me of the decision. I accepted it without protest,” he shared.

The former Prime Minister described how he later learned of his dismissal through an official announcement by the Secretary-General of the Presidency. “Fifteen minutes later, I saw the formal declaration. I began packing my belongings to return to Keur Gorgui, a place I had longed for,” he concluded.