Sonko warns of system reorganisation at Senegal’s presidential palace

During a rally in Dahra Djoloff, Ousmane Sonko delivered a sharp critique of what he describes as the resurgence of old political practices within Senegal’s highest institutions. The National Assembly President highlighted the betrayal of the people’s trust by those who once pledged to break from the past.

Sonko’s warning: a return to the old ways

At a gathering in Dahra Djoloff last Saturday, Ousmane Sonko launched a fierce attack on what he calls the reconstitution of the previous system at the heart of Senegal’s government. Speaking to a packed crowd of activists, the Assembly President lamented that even close allies from the Pastef party never anticipated that once in power, some would abandon their commitments to the Senegalese people.

The opposition leader stressed that this shift isn’t about individuals but about the erosion of core values. « This is not a matter of personalities, but a matter of upholding our promises and the principles outlined in our project: transparency, good governance, accountability, fair justice, and renegotiating resource management,» he declared, reiterating the pillars of the movement’s original vision to break away from traditional practices.

Institutions under scrutiny: sovereignty and legitimacy

Sonko reserved his harshest words for what he sees as a dangerous trend: the growing influence of state institutions over democratic principles. « Today, the President has created a party with no electoral base, yet he controls the institutions. In a democracy, there is only one sovereign: the people, not the institutions,» he argued. His remarks suggest that a government lacking popular support may rely more heavily on state apparatus to maintain power.

Judicial independence in the crosshairs

The Assembly President also raised alarms about alleged attempts to manipulate Senegal’s highest courts. According to Sonko, maneuvers are underway to bring the Supreme Court and Constitutional Council under political control. « These efforts to co-opt the judiciary are clear evidence of the system’s reorganization at the Palace, six years after the promised change,» he warned.

The speech in Dahra Djoloff marks another chapter in the escalating tensions between Sonko and the current administration, as he continues to challenge what he perceives as a betrayal of the reformist agenda that brought them to power.