In a press briefing held in Dakar on June 2, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko detailed the Pastef party’s decision to decline participation in the newly announced government by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye‘s administration.

The refusal stems from fundamental disagreements over policy priorities and ministerial portfolio distribution. Sonko emphasized that negotiators sought assurances on critical issues such as judicial reform, fiscal transparency, and debt management negotiations with international creditors like the IMF.

Unmet expectations on key reforms

The Pastef leadership expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s responses, particularly regarding debt restructuring strategies. Sonko stated, “The president confirmed no commitments were made to the IMF, leaving debt restructuring unresolved. On purchasing power, he suggested applying ‘price truth’ to subsidized goods.“>

Regarding judicial independence, Sonko criticized the administration’s claim of having ‘the best justice system in the world’, calling these responses ‘lukewarm’ and insufficient for their demands.

Demands for greater representation

Sonko also highlighted the party’s expectation to hold at least half of the ministerial portfolios if joining the government. He stressed that ‘Pastef cannot enter a cabinet where it lacks significant representation’, as reflected in the new administration’s composition, which includes only five ministers from the party’s ranks—though these figures are not officially recognized by Pastef.

While Sonko ruled out submitting a no-confidence motion immediately, he warned that ‘unless the president and his team provoke us first’, the party would not take such action. The political standoff underscores the challenges facing Senegal’s new leadership in unifying its support base.