The political landscape in Senegal remains stirred by ongoing internal debates within the ruling Pastef party. As calls for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s potential expulsion grow louder, party leader Ousmane Sonko has deferred the matter to the movement’s formal structures, emphasizing that any decision must follow the party’s established procedures.
During a recent interview, Sonko, who also serves as Speaker of the National Assembly, underscored the structured nature of Pastef, stressing that expulsions require a thorough examination of grievances through official channels. “This will be assessed at the appropriate time,” he stated. “Pastef is a highly organized party with clear rules governing internal procedures before any exclusion can even be considered. The party belongs to its institutions, not to individuals.”
The party’s internal rules currently do not include any pending expulsion proceedings against the president. “We are not at that stage yet,” Sonko clarified.
Sonko avoids moralizing over political disputes
When pressed on accusations of “betrayal” directed at President Faye, Sonko steered the conversation toward political rather than moral grounds. “Trahison is a moral concept,” he remarked. “I prefer to frame this as a political disagreement.”
He went on to highlight what he described as unmet promises made to the Senegalese people, questioning the government’s commitment to its pledges. “I believe some of the commitments we made to the Senegalese people are not being honored, and there is no real will to fulfill them. Let’s leave moral judgments aside.”
Deepening rifts within Senegal’s leadership
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between key figures in Senegal’s ruling coalition. For weeks, Pastef members have accused President Faye of drifting away from the party’s original political vision that propelled it to power.
Despite the mounting criticism, Sonko has refrained from taking immediate action, insisting that internal party mechanisms should prevail over hasty decisions regarding the head of state.