A former close associate of Ousmane Sonko, Lansana Gagny Sakho now serves as a leading figure within Kiiraay, the party backing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In a recent television appearance, the chairman of the APIX board delivered a scathing critique of his former mentor, outlining the reasons behind his break with Sonko while defending his own commitment to Senegal’s democratic institutions.

His alignment with Sonko’s political movement in the past, he explained, stemmed from admiration for its key figures. Yet after the change in leadership, he declined an offer to head the water and sanitation sector, prioritizing integrity over political gain. « I refused to prioritize positions over my principles. That decision spared me unnecessary complications. From day one, I chose the Republic,» he declared.

In stark contrast, Lansana Gagny Sakho accused Ousmane Sonko of never truly embracing Senegal’s republican framework. He highlighted how Sonko’s public statements—including criticism of government authority during the President’s official visits to the United States and China—deepened divisions at the highest levels of the state. These remarks, he argued, undermined national cohesion and embarrassed the Head of State.

For the former ally of the Pastef leader, the essence of political responsibility lies in strengthening institutions and enhancing state efficiency. While acknowledging that challenges persisted on both sides, he emphasized significant progress, particularly within the justice system.

He also addressed recent shifts at the Ministry of Justice, where the former Minister, Ousmane Diagne, had declared before parliament that no external pressure could sway him. According to Sakho, the decision to replace him aimed to install a more compliant figure who could influence judicial decisions. « They underestimated the judiciary’s independence,» he asserted. « Magistrates are not puppets, and the realities of power differ vastly from opposition perspectives.»