Tensions between Ousmane Sonko and the presidential camp have escalated sharply in recent days. The leader of the Pastef party, speaking to journalists, issued one of his strongest statements since the formation of the new government in Senegal.
Leveraging his party’s significant presence in the National Assembly, the former Prime Minister emphasized the institutional power at his disposal. « We hold the majority in Parliament, and I can bring down the government tomorrow if we choose,» he declared, signaling a high-stakes political confrontation.
Sonko further suggested that his party could repeat such a move if necessary, underscoring the depth of the standoff with former allies. Despite this show of strength, he insisted that his primary goal is not to destabilize Senegal but to safeguard its stability and advance Pastef’s political agenda.
« We are not seeking to paralyze the country,» he emphasized, while reaffirming his vision for Pastef’s future beyond the 2029 presidential election. Though he dismissed the idea of using Parliament as a tool for systematic confrontation against President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sonko accused the presidential camp of initiating institutional hostilities through legal maneuvers before the Constitutional Council.
The opposition leader framed the current tensions as validation of his strategic decision during last year’s legislative elections. By running independently rather than in a coalition, Pastef secured greater autonomy and maintained its grip on the parliamentary majority—a move he now views as pivotal to the party’s influence.
In a defiant tone, Sonko concluded by asserting that a system is actively working to weaken him politically, though he remains convinced these efforts will ultimately fail.
