Senegal politics: president’s camp fires back at pastef leader Ousmane Sonko
Reporting from Dakar, our correspondent Léa-Lisa Westerhoff covers the latest developments
Scathing remarks and accusations of personal attacks that dishonor his role as National Assembly President. That’s how the coalition backing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described Ousmane Sonko’s latest media offensive.
During the inauguration of the Pastef headquarters in the sacred city of Touba on Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, the former Prime Minister unleashed a harsh critique of the President. Sonko alleged that Bassirou Diomaye Faye prioritizes political ambitions over the needs of Senegalese citizens, pointing to the near-unpayable public debt and the absence of an IMF-backed program. Senegalese people should know their concerns are not a priority for Diomaye Faye, Sonko declared to his supporters in Touba.
Sonko’s statements drew a sharp response from the Head of State’s camp. In a statement, President Diomaye Faye’s coalition emphasized that the President is committed to finding solutions to improve living conditions for all citizens and accused Sonko of choosing persistent confrontation over constructive dialogue.