Former ally of Ousmane Sonko exposes his political shift towards institutions

Lansana Gagny Sakho, once a close associate of Ousmane Sonko and now a leading figure in the Kiiraay party supporting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has sharply criticized his former mentor in a recent interview. Speaking on national radio, the Chair of the APIX board reiterated his commitment to republican values, contrasting his position with what he describes as Sonko’s disregard for institutional stability.

Rejecting power for principles

Sakho revealed that after the political transition, he was offered a key ministerial position in the water and sanitation sector but declined, choosing integrity over authority. « I refused to prioritize positions over my principles. That decision allowed me to leave gracefully. From the start, I chose the Republic, » he stated. His remarks underscore a fundamental divergence with Sonko’s approach to governance.

Once aligned with Sonko’s movement, Sakho now frames his political journey as a defense of democratic institutions. While acknowledging past challenges, he highlighted progress in judicial reforms, emphasizing that tangible improvements have been made under the current administration.

Accusations of undermining the state

Sakho went further by accusing Sonko of deliberately destabilizing the government through public statements. He cited a controversial remark made during President Faye’s official visits to the United States and China, where Sonko allegedly criticized a lack of authority in the country. « Such comments only served to weaken the leadership, » Sakho asserted.

Justice sector reforms: a line in the sand

Addressing recent changes in the Ministry of Justice, Sakho dismissed claims that the former minister, Ousmane Diagne, resisted external pressure. Instead, he claimed the reshuffle aimed to install a more compliant leader to influence magistrates. « They underestimated the judiciary’s independence. Magistrates are anything but puppets, » he declared, warning that power dynamics are often misunderstood from the opposition’s perspective.