Senegal politics: Ousmane Sonko slams president as ‘easily manipulated’

During the unveiling ceremony of the Pastef party headquarters in Touba, located 194 kilometers east of Dakar, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, delivered a sharp critique of President Diomaye Faye. The event, held in the heart of Senegal’s religious hub, provided Sonko with a platform to voice his growing discontent with the current administration.

In a scathing address, Sonko painted President Faye as a weak and impressionable leader, warning the nation of the dangers posed by such a figure. «We are saddled with a puppet president who bends to every whim. This is a disaster,» he declared, emphasizing the president’s perceived vulnerability to manipulation by political opportunists. «He is easily swayed by self-serving politicians, even from the opposition. They mislead him into believing he controls the defense and security forces and that a second term is within his grasp.»

Sonko, who once championed President Faye’s candidacy in the 2024 presidential race, now expresses deep regret over his endorsement. «With hindsight, I realize he was secretly building his own political faction within the ruling party,» he explained. Sonko accused Faye of leveraging his roles as Secretary-General and coordinator of party cadres to consolidate power behind the scenes. «The moment he became president, he overstepped all boundaries and assumed he could reclaim the majority of cadres upon my removal. But he was mistaken—no one followed him.»

The tension between the two leaders underscores a broader rift within Senegal’s political landscape, raising questions about unity within the ruling coalition. Sonko’s remarks reflect mounting frustrations as factions within the government grapple with power struggles and diverging visions for the country’s future.