The PASTEF (Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité) is gearing up for its first ordinary congress on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and its Secretary-General, Ousmane Sonko, has just laid out the party’s ideological foundation in a detailed manifesto.
In this document, Sonko reflects on the party’s origins—founded in 2014 with neither financial resources nor political leverage—while also outlining a clear vision for the future. He warns that political movements risk collapse without a strong doctrine, robust organization, and long-term strategy. Sonko’s words carry particular weight as he addresses the transition from a protest-driven movement to a fully structured political party.
The upcoming congress will serve as a pivotal moment, with delegates from national sections and the diaspora set to adopt key documents: an ideological charter, a strategic framework, policy theses, and a general resolution. Sonko frames this gathering as a milestone in the party’s evolution, marking the shift from a movement of resistance to an organized political force.
Sovereignty as the guiding principle
At the heart of Sonko’s manifesto lies a redefinition of sovereignty—not as a mere political slogan, but as a governance methodology encompassing:
- Natural resource management
- Budgetary autonomy
- Agricultural policy
- Education reform
- Senegal’s global positioning
Beyond economic and political dimensions, Sonko emphasizes a cultural revival: promoting national languages, reclaiming history, and mastering technology. He also underscores the need for Pan-African integration, advocating for stronger economic and scientific ties across the continent.
This manifesto arrives amid heightened political tensions, including Sonko’s recent removal from government. Yet his focus remains unwavering: shaping the party’s ideological future, independent of institutional fluctuations.