Sonko criticizes President Faye over presidential slush fund at Pastef gathering in Touba

At a Pastef event in Touba, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko launched a sharp attack on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Sonko challenged the management of the controversial presidential slush fund, while reaffirming his party’s commitment to grassroots financing through member contributions.

Financing politics without state funds

During the two-day gathering in Touba, Ousmane Sonko took the opportunity to address what he described as the president’s mismanagement of the so-called “caisse noire” — a secret fund critics argue lacks transparency. Sonko, who leads the Pastef movement, emphasized that his party operates entirely on private donations and member subscriptions, rejecting any reliance on public resources.

“Pastef does not draw from state coffers to fund its initiatives. For us, that is haram,” he declared in front of a packed audience of supporters. His remarks underscore the growing rift between Sonko and President Faye, both former allies now at odds over governance and financial accountability.

The slush fund controversy has intensified in recent weeks, with Sonko repeatedly questioning its purpose and legitimacy. He suggested that such funds could be used to consolidate political influence ahead of upcoming elections, positioning his party as the only one operating with full transparency.

Grassroots funding as a model of integrity

Sonko went further, dismissing criticism of Pastef’s successful membership drive. In a pointed message to political opponents, he used a Wolof proverb to warn: “If there’s no death, there will be wounds” — implying that those who oppose Pastef’s rise will suffer consequences. He branded detractors as “bitter” individuals unable to accept the movement’s growing grassroots support.

This public stance reflects Sonko’s longstanding emphasis on financial independence and ethical governance, principles he continues to champion even as internal divisions within the ruling coalition deepen.