Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Pastef party, held a press conference in Dakar on Tuesday, June 2, to explain why his party declined an invitation to join President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s new cabinet, announced the day before by the head of government, Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô.

Deep disagreements over political priorities and the allocation of ministerial portfolios made cooperation impossible, Sonko stated. Key issues included judicial reform, fiscal transparency, and the renegotiation of critical national contracts—all central to the Pastef’s agenda.

Sonko emphasized that despite repeated requests for assurances from President Faye, particularly regarding debt management strategies, the responses were unsatisfactory. He highlighted the president’s stance on International Monetary Fund (IMF) engagements, consumer price adjustments for subsidized goods, and perceptions of Senegal’s judiciary as areas of concern.

Concerns over cabinet role distribution

Sonko also criticized the limited representation of Pastef members in the new government, noting that only five ministers—unofficially associated with the party—were included. He stressed that the Pastef would not participate in a cabinet where it could not secure at least half of the ministerial positions.

While Sonko acknowledged no immediate plans to file a no-confidence motion, he warned that such action would be taken only if the administration initiated hostilities against the party first.