President diomaye faye issues stern warning to ousmane sonko amidst Senegal’s political reconfiguration

During the official launch of his new political entity, KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a powerful message widely interpreted as a direct admonition to his former prime minister, Ousmane Sonko. The presidential caution was unambiguous: « Fii, saa fitnë dootufi nanee ñeex », a Wolof phrase translating to: “Here, what was once tolerated will no longer be so.”

In his address, the leader of KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains underscored Senegal’s unwavering commitment to enduring peace and stability. This significant declaration emerges against a backdrop of escalating friction between the two prominent figures within the executive branch, marking a crucial phase in the recomposition of the presidential majority and the establishment of President Faye’s new party.

This public statement follows several months of discernible differences between the head of state and his erstwhile government chief. Their diverging tones in national addresses have become increasingly apparent, culminating in a definitive split between the presidential coalition and the Pastef party.

Concurrently, Ousmane Sonko, who leads Pastef, is actively engaged in a nationwide membership drive, a campaign initiated by him and his associates in recent days.