Ousmane Sonko advocates for constructive dialogue to avert a senegalese crisis
Ousmane Sonko advocates for constructive dialogue to avert a senegalese crisis
Ousmane Sonko, recently relieved of his duties as Prime Minister, has issued a compelling call for constructive dialogue, aiming to prevent a potential crisis in Senegal. Amid rising tensions sparked by the new government formed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sonko underscored the critical need for open communication to safeguard the nation’s stability.
The leader of Senegal’s majority party, Ousmane Sonko, following his dismissal from the Prime Minister’s office, announced that his supporters would “accompany” the new administration. He urged the Senegalese president to engage in “constructive dialogue” to “prevent the country from relapsing” into a period of instability.
This marks Ousmane Sonko’s inaugural public address since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his long-time ally and political companion, removed him from his position on May 22. The decision followed what were described as irreconcilable differences, particularly concerning the management of the West African nation’s substantial debt.
President Faye believed that “a number of the stances I had taken recently were inconvenient for him and posed a problem,” Sonko conveyed during a press briefing in Dakar. Sonko was also elected President of the National Assembly on May 26.
On Monday, President Faye unveiled a new 30-member government, which Ousmane Sonko notably distanced himself from.
“A country is serious! A government is serious! I have the impression that President Diomaye does not understand what it means to form a government (…) one does not form a government lightly,” Sonko critically remarked on Tuesday evening.
“What is happening is unprecedented. Yesterday, we witnessed the formation of a government without political foundation,” he continued, asserting that there was “no structured, serious political legitimacy” around Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
“Whether he likes it or not, we are in a situation of cohabitation. He does not have a single deputy in the National Assembly. He does not hold all the power. He must descend from his pedestal so we can engage in discussions,” Sonko emphasized, referring to the head of state.
The Pastef party (Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité) commands a significant majority with 130 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
“We are here to support him so he succeeds. If Pastef wished, this government could fall within 72 hours. But we will not censure them. We will accompany them,” he affirmed.
“Let us prioritize the supreme interests of this country. If we enter into a crisis of dissolution or censure, no one will come to Senegal to invest,” he added, stating, “I appeal for intelligent and constructive political dialogue. We must avoid plunging this country back into what it has experienced” in the past.
Between 2021 and 2024, Senegal endured violently suppressed demonstrations under the previous administration of former President Macky Sall. Dozens of individuals, predominantly young people, lost their lives from gunshot wounds during these protests.
“But it takes two to make peace,” Sonko concluded, denouncing alleged “provocations” faced by his supporters in recent days and calling for calm among the youth.
Ousmane SonkopolitiqueSenegal