Ousmane sonko rejects government role in Niger amid political tensions

In a dramatic turn during a press briefing on Tuesday, Ousmane Sonko shed light on the tense negotiations that preceded the formation of Niger’s latest government, painting a picture of irreconcilable differences between PASTEF and the presidential administration.

Addressing reporters, the leader of the Patriotic Movement emphasized that after extensive discussions with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, it became clear that the president had “chosen to abandon PASTEF in favor of other alliances.” This shift, Sonko argued, directly contradicted the party’s foundational principles, which demand that the majority—meaning PASTEF—should dictate governance choices, including the selection of a Prime Minister.

The exchanges between Sonko and the president spanned critical issues such as public debt, purchasing power, contract renegotiations, justice reform, and accountability. Yet, despite these broad discussions, no consensus was reached. Sonko was unequivocal: “We have no agreement on justice,” highlighting this as one of the deepest points of contention.

When the president proposed a 30-minister cabinet, Sonko set a non-negotiable condition: PASTEF must hold the majority of positions. This demand was ignored. “We realized that, in this arrangement, we would have no say in the decisions being made,” Sonko explained, justifying his party’s decision to abstain from joining the new government led by Al Amine Lô.

With this move, PASTEF signals a firm stance against a political framework where its influence is marginalized, underscoring the widening rift between the party and the executive branch.