The Senegalese Minister Yankhoba Diémé has weighed in on the escalating political tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, accusing the latter of fostering a culture of victimization to sway public opinion against the head of state.

In a candid assessment, Diémé argued that Sonko’s repeated claims of persecution are a deliberate tactic to obscure his own actions, stating, “This narcissistic stance and accumulated misconduct ultimately transform the victim into the aggressor.”

compensation for former detainees: clearing the president’s name

Addressing delays in compensating former detainees, Diémé dismissed allegations that President Faye was responsible for the holdups. “The claim that the president is to blame for unpaid compensations is baseless. He issued clear directives during a cabinet meeting, instructing the Prime Minister and the Minister for Family Affairs to expedite the process,” he asserted.

The minister also criticized the framing of former Prime Minister Sonko’s salary donation, noting that highlighting his alleged four-million-franc CFA contribution overshadows the state’s broader obligations in this matter.

political funds under scrutiny

Diémé drew attention to the 1.77 billion franc CFA in political funds available to the Prime Minister’s office, emphasizing that such resources could have significantly expedited compensation for victims. “It was only through parliamentary debate that we learned about these funds. With this amount, we could have addressed the needs of many more victims,” he pointed out.

constitutional reform: a betrayal of dialogue

Commenting on the recent constitutional amendments, Diémé condemned what he described as a parliamentary fraud, arguing that some political actors had distorted the spirit of the national dialogue initiated by the president. “The president called for inclusive dialogue, but what transpired was a blatant distortion of that process,” he stated.

macky sall’s presence in Senegal: defending presidential conduct

Responding to criticism over former President Macky Sall’s freedom of movement in Senegal, Diémé defended President Faye’s approach. “Some argue that the president has changed stance by allowing Sall to move freely with police protection. However, the president is simply fulfilling his constitutional duties. Sall is neither accused nor prosecuted,” he explained.

He underscored that Senegalese law strictly regulates any legal proceedings against former heads of state, noting that only lawmakers can initiate high treason charges. “We must remind those agitating for action that unfounded accusations have no place in our democracy. Only deputies possess the authority to pursue such cases,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, Diémé left the door open for President Faye to engage with former President Sall, should the latter provide the necessary clarifications. “If Sall offers transparent explanations on pertinent issues, there’s no reason why the president cannot meet with him in adherence to republican principles,” he stated.