Senegal politics: Aldiouma Sow criticizes Ousmane Sonko’s messianic shift

Political tensions within Senegal’s Pastef party have reached a boiling point, revealing deep divisions. On Monday, July 6, 2026, Aldiouma Sow, a prominent political figure aligned with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took to TFM television to deliver a scathing critique of party leader Ousmane Sonko.

Sow accused Sonko of undergoing a radical transformation since assuming power, alleging that the true nature of his ambitions—what Sow described as a dangerous “messianic” streak—only became apparent after the party’s electoral victory. According to Sow, the party’s founding principles emphasized collective leadership, not the personalization of power that Sonko now embodies.

“The militants joined a collective project, not a cult of personality,” Sow declared. He argued that Sonko’s evolution has not only betrayed the party’s original ethos but has also created a political deadlock. The criticism comes at a time when Sonko, as Speaker of the National Assembly, has been at odds with President Faye, who recently distanced himself from Pastef by launching his own political movement.

Sow’s remarks underscore the widening rift within the party, with his vocal support for Faye contrasting sharply with his sharp attacks on Sonko. This public feud highlights the growing instability within Senegal’s ruling coalition, raising questions about its future cohesion.