The President of the National Assembly and former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, made a public appeal this Tuesday for a constructive political dialogue with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Despite the current friction between the two leaders, Ousmane Sonko stated that his party, Pastef, does not intend to trigger a government collapse.
Ousmane Sonko questions the executive’s political legitimacy
In his first public appearance since his departure from office on May 22, Ousmane Sonko offered a sharp assessment of the new administration appointed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Speaking at a press conference in Dakar, the Pastef leader emphasized that governing a nation requires a serious approach, arguing that the executive team formed on Monday lacks a structured political foundation. He reminded the public that the institutional balance of power is significant, as Pastef holds a dominant position in the National Assembly with 130 out of 165 seats.
Pastef pledges to support the administration
While critical of the current setup, Ousmane Sonko made it clear that his party would not seek a motion of censure against the government. He noted that while Pastef has the legislative power to bring down the cabinet within three days, they have chosen a path of cooperation instead. The head of the National Assembly stressed that maintaining national stability is crucial for investor confidence and for preventing Sénégal from entering another period of political turmoil.
A call for engagement to maintain peace
Addressing the friction between former allies, Ousmane Sonko advocated for an “intelligent and constructive” political exchange. He warned against repeating the civil unrest that impacted Sénégal between 2021 and 2024, urging for a peaceful resolution to current tensions. While he condemned what he described as provocations against his supporters, he also called on the youth to remain composed, stating that establishing peace requires the commitment of both sides.
