OuSmane Sonko slams governance and warns Diomaye Faye is straying from PASTEF’s vision

In a landmark address delivered this past Sunday in Sadio, Diourbel region, Ousmane Sonko, leader of PASTEF-Les Patriotes, sharply criticized the current administration’s direction, raising concerns over the future of the political movement he once championed.

Ousmane Sonko took the stage before a packed crowd, revisiting the events that led to Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory in the March 2024 presidential election. He recalled how, after his own candidacy was disqualified, he actively backed Faye’s campaign, believing it would fulfill the shared aspirations of the Senegalese people.

His speech struck a defiant tone, as he declared, “We propelled him to the highest office, yet he has strayed from the path we envisioned—betraying the hopes of a nation that placed its trust in us.” The remarks underscored his frustration with the government’s perceived deviation from the original PASTEF platform, which once promised sweeping reforms and a break from established political norms.

The Prime Minister accused the administration of gradually drifting away from the commitments made to voters, framing it as a “lost hope” for those who fought for change. He emphasized his own pivotal role in mobilizing support for the 2024 political shift, asserting that the groundwork for the historic alternation was laid under his leadership.

Looking ahead, Ousmane Sonko set his sights on the 2026 and 2029 elections, calling them critical milestones for reviving PASTEF’s original political agenda. His comments arrive amid growing speculation about the tensions between the President and his Prime Minister, though no official response has yet emerged from the presidency.