BPN leader dismisses claims of clandestine agreement during Cap Manuel meeting

In a sweeping rebuttal published on his official Facebook page, Aldiouma Sow, a prominent figure in the Bureau politique national (BPN) of Pastef les Patriotes, has forcefully denied rumors of a secret pact between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Ousmane Sonko. The statement comes amid escalating political tensions in Sénégal following the rift between the two leaders.

Sow, a key strategist within the party, framed the president’s ongoing dialogue initiatives—notably his May 2025 national reconciliation call—as a principled stance rather than a tactical move. « The president’s commitment to dialogue isn’t a fleeting adjustment to political winds, » he asserted. « He has invested entire days in these discussions, despite no constitutional, ethical, or moral obligation to do so. »

Cap Manuel controversy: no clandestine dealings

The BPN member took direct aim at persistent speculation linking Faye’s release from Cap Manuel prison to a supposed secret agreement with Sonko. « The president never entered into any clandestine pact at Cap Manuel, » Sow declared emphatically, countering claims made by Sonko that such an arrangement existed. Instead, Sow alleged that other presidential hopefuls had sworn oaths in the same prison setting—hand on the Quran—to hand power to Sonko upon assuming office.

Warning against ‘messianic’ faction within Pastef

Sow broadened his critique to address what he described as a « destructive messianism » gripping the party since 2022. He pointed to controversial legislative candidacies, where long-standing party figures were sidelined in favor of last-minute allies, as evidence of this trend. « The same pattern will repeat in upcoming legislative and local elections, » he cautioned, « spelling the political death knell for Pastef’s grassroots base. »

He urged party coordinators to reject what he termed a « messianic dictate, » stressing that ministers who remained in government despite internal pressure should stand firm: « You may be banished from WhatsApp or Telegram groups, excluded from national party bodies—but no one can strip you of your commitment to this patriotic project. »

In a conciliatory closing note, Sow extended an olive branch to undecided party members, urging them to abandon Sonko’s divisive trajectory before irreparable damage is done: « To those still wavering: you have nothing to lose by reconsidering your stance. »

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst