In Senegal, the political landscape is once again heating up as internal debates within the Pastef party intensify over the fate of President Diomaye Faye. Accusations of betrayal have surfaced, with party members questioning whether Faye has strayed from the ideals that propelled him to power. As calls for his potential expulsion grow louder, Ousmane Sonko, a key figure in the party, has weighed in with a measured response.
During a recent interview, Sonko addressed the growing speculation surrounding Faye’s status within the party. He emphasized that any decision regarding expulsion would be made at the appropriate time, stressing that rushed judgments are not the way forward. “The situation will be assessed when the time is right,” he stated, adding that the party operates with a clear set of rules and procedures. “Pastef is a highly structured and organized party with well-defined texts outlining the steps to take and the grievances to present before considering someone’s exclusion. It’s not up to me alone; it’s the party’s governing bodies that will make this determination when the time comes,” Sonko explained.
The journalist pressed Sonko on whether he believes Faye has betrayed the party’s political vision. Sonko, however, refrained from using such loaded language. “Betrayal is a term rooted in morality and emotion. I prefer to focus on the political realm,” he clarified. “I believe many of the commitments we made to the Senegalese people—though not all—are not being honored, and there’s no genuine effort to do so. I’m not operating on an emotional level here. As for betrayal, that’s a matter for moral judgment.”