Senegal’s former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko held a press conference on June 2 to clarify why his party, Pastef, declined participation in the newly formed government announced the previous day by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration.

Deep disagreements over policy priorities and ministerial portfolios made reconciliation impossible, he stated. Key concerns included judicial independence, fiscal transparency, and renegotiating critical national contracts—areas where Pastef sought firm commitments from the president.

Sonko highlighted the president’s responses as vague, particularly on debt restructuring. Bassirou Diomaye Faye reportedly stated there were no guarantees regarding International Monetary Fund (IMF) negotiations, while vague assurances were given on subsidy adjustments to address purchasing power.

Sonko’s demands for fair representation

The former prime minister insisted Pastef would only join a government with significant representation, stipulating that the party should hold at least half of the ministerial positions. He criticized the new cabinet’s legitimacy, noting only five ministers from his party—though they were not formally endorsed by Pastef.

Despite the refusal, Sonko assured that no motion of no confidence would be tabled unless the administration initiated hostilities first, signaling a cautious approach to future political engagement.