Lansana Gagny Sakho, a former ally of Ousmane Sonko now aligned with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s Kiiraay party, has leveled sharp criticism against his former mentor. Speaking on a national broadcast, the chairman of the APIX board underscored his unwavering dedication to Senegal’s republican institutions, contrasting it with what he describes as Sonko’s disregard for state authority.
Rejecting office for principle
After Senegal’s political transition, Sakho revealed he turned down a high-ranking position in the water and sanitation sector to uphold his principles. “I prioritized my convictions over political appointments,” he stated. “This decision allowed me to walk away with integrity. From the start, I chose the Republic.”
Sonko’s alleged disregard for state authority
Sakho accused Ousmane Sonko of consistently undermining state authority, particularly through public statements made during President Faye’s official visits to the United States and China. These remarks, he argued, embarrassed the head of state and exacerbated divisions within the government. “True political leadership means strengthening institutions, not destabilizing them,” he emphasized.
Justice sector reforms and magistrate independence
The former Sonko associate praised recent advances in Senegal’s justice system, acknowledging challenges on both sides but highlighting progress. He dismissed claims that magistrates could be manipulated, citing the former Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne’s assertion that no one could influence him. “Those who thought they could sway judges underestimated their professionalism,” Sakho declared. “The realities of governance differ vastly from opposition perspectives.”
His remarks reflect growing tensions within Senegal’s political landscape, particularly between supporters of institutional stability and those advocating for more radical reforms.
