Just days after his dismissal from office, former Prime Minister and Pastef party leader Ousmane Sonko has launched a sharp counterattack against President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In a press conference held yesterday in Dakar, Sonko did not mince his words as he addressed the current political climate in Senegal.

«The situation we face today resembles a form of political cohabitation,» Sonko declared. He emphasized that his party, Pastef, maintains control of 130 parliamentary seats, giving it the capacity to challenge the government through a vote of no confidence. «We warned the president months ago about this possibility, but our concerns were ignored,» he added. His statements have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising questions about the stability of the new administration.

Criticism of the government’s legitimacy

Sonko spared no criticism for the newly formed government led by Prime Minister Al Amine Lô. «This government lacks fundamental political legitimacy,» he asserted. «We have a cabinet that has no political foundation. The coalition they boast about is meaningless. Calling it a ‘technocratic government’ is just a polite way of admitting they are isolated from the people.»

The former Prime Minister went further, claiming that Pastef holds the sole legitimate mandate from the Senegalese electorate. «Our party is the largest in the National Assembly, elected by the people. To govern without us is to govern without the people,» he stated.

A growing political challenge

The executive branch now faces a significant political hurdle. With Pastef controlling an overwhelming majority in parliament, the government’s ability to implement its agenda is in serious doubt. Analysts warn that without the support of the ruling party, passing key legislation and reforms will prove difficult.

«The absence of Pastef in the government creates a political dilemma for President Faye’s camp,» noted one political observer. «While the president retains constitutional powers, his ability to deliver on promises will depend heavily on maintaining trust with Pastef’s parliamentary bloc.»

Some analysts describe the current situation as more than a typical cohabitation—it is a rift within the same political movement. «This is not a standard opposition between a president and a hostile parliamentary majority,» explained another commentator. «Instead, it is a break within the ruling coalition, where the president and his party’s majority refuse to participate in the government.»

What lies ahead?

The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining how this political standoff resolves. The streets, government institutions, and corridors of power will all play a role in shaping the outcome. One question remains at the forefront: How can a technocratic government, lacking its own parliamentary base, govern effectively while facing a majority party that holds the reins of legislative power?