The head of PASTEF, Ousmane Sonko, has lifted the veil on the exact circumstances surrounding his dismissal from government. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, he provided a detailed account of the events that led to his abrupt exit, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
An unexpected summons at the Palace
The President of the Republic summoned Sonko to the Presidential Palace, where he declared that their political partnership could no longer continue. According to Sonko’s account, the Head of State cited several public statements as grounds for his decision, which were perceived as problematic. Rather than accepting the dismissal passively, Sonko took a bold stance: “I made his task easier by telling him I would comply. I asked him if he wanted to fire me—then he should just own up to it and do it.”
A prior offer that went unanswered
Sonko revealed that he had previously proposed stepping down from his ministerial position to instead assume the leadership of the National Assembly. In doing so, he pledged his unwavering support for the government’s agenda. However, that proposal was never acted upon, leaving his political future uncertain.
No responsibility for the rupture
With unwavering clarity, Sonko made it clear that he would not bear the blame for the separation between him and the administration. “I refused to take responsibility for this breakup,” he stated firmly. His remarks underscore a deliberate effort to shift the narrative and place the onus squarely on the President’s decision.