Senegal’s president makes unusual request to former prime minister ousmane sonko

Unusual political dynamics have surfaced following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s request for former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to frame their separation as a mutual agreement. In a candid account, the ousted leader reveals the behind-the-scenes tensions and his reasons for rejecting the proposal.

Tensions escalated as Ousmane Sonko, a key figure in the ruling coalition, shared his perspective on the abrupt termination of his role. He described the departure as a unilateral decision made without prior consultation or discussion.

According to Sonko’s account, President Faye suggested publicly presenting the separation as an agreement between both parties. The former prime minister firmly opposed this suggestion, insisting that no such discussion had occurred. In his words, the decision was made unilaterally, leaving no room for negotiation.

Demands for transparency and a rejected proposal

The former prime minister admitted he had proposed a 24 to 48-hour window to organize the practical arrangements of his departure. However, he claimed the presidency proceeded immediately, bypassing any discussion on how the political break would be communicated to the public.

Sonko maintained that he had set a clear rule from the beginning of their collaboration: never to be responsible for the split. Following the announcement of his dismissal, he returned home the same day, followed by days of silence between the involved parties.

In his narrative, he also highlighted an incident related to the formation of a new government. He alleged that consultations had begun with outgoing ministers from the PASTEF party without his knowledge. He advised these ministers not to engage in these discussions, insisting that all interactions should go through official party channels.

This stance reportedly deepened the rift, leading to days of stalled communication until an attempt was made to reconnect. Sonko proposed a meeting involving several political figures, including Birame Souleye Diop, El Malick Ndiaye, Alioune Sall, and Daouda Ngom, but the initiative did not materialize.

The final discussions were later conducted with the new Prime Minister, Al Aminou Lo, though no resolution was reached regarding Sonko’s demands, particularly concerning legal accountability, financial transparency, and public debt management.