The recent press conference held by Ousmane Sonko in Touba has reignited significant tensions between him and Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo. In response, Lo took to social media, condemning what he perceives as the instrumentalization of patriotism for political objectives, just as Sonko declared his intention to introduce motions of no confidence against the current government.
Political friction between Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo and his predecessor, Ousmane Sonko, appears to have reached a critical new phase. Merely hours after the Pastef leader delivered a press conference in Touba, where he sharply criticized the government’s performance and announced his support for a series of censure motions in the National Assembly, the head of government chose to issue a rebuttal via a message on the social media platform X.
Without explicitly naming Ousmane Sonko, Al Aminou Lo published a statement widely interpreted as a direct response to the former Prime Minister’s assertions. His message read: «To claim patriotism as the sole preserve of one camp is, precisely, to betray it.» This strong reaction follows Ousmane Sonko’s remarks made after the inauguration of Pastef’s headquarters in Touba. Addressing his party militants, the former government chief claimed to have received intelligence regarding statements allegedly made by Al Aminou Lo during a private meeting.
«According to information relayed to me, Al Aminou Lo reportedly stated during a confidential meeting that his priority is now the improvement of the business climate. This signifies a willingness to cater to the expectations of Western investors and economic partners,» Ousmane Sonko declared. The Pastef president characterized this policy direction as a form of «sabotage» against the political agenda he champions. Subsequently, he announced plans to table several motions of censure aimed at the government led by Al Aminou Lo, intending, he stated, to obstruct its operations.
