Addressing a sea of activists last Saturday, the National Assembly President issued a stark warning about the betrayal of the Pastef movement’s founding principles. Sonko, once a fierce critic of the old guard, now accuses his former allies of replicating the very behaviors they once pledged to dismantle. « No one in our ranks imagined that, upon assuming power, long-time comrades would abandon their commitments to the Senegalese people, » he declared.
The crux of Sonko’s argument centers on the alleged dismantling of transparency, accountability, and judicial independence—core tenets of the movement’s original agenda. « This isn’t about individuals; it’s about upholding the values we swore to defend: transparency in governance, ethical leadership, and the fair administration of justice, » he emphasized. His words carried the weight of a movement that promised to break from decades of perceived corruption.
Sonko’s most damning accusation, however, targeted the structural realignment of power. « Regrettably, the very system we sought to dismantle has reorganized itself within the palace, perpetuating the same habits it once condemned, » he asserted. His critique extended to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s leadership, questioning the legitimacy of a government he claims relies on state institutions rather than popular support. « In a democracy, sovereignty resides with the people—not with bureaucratic apparatuses, » he argued.
The National Assembly President also alleged concerted efforts to subvert key judicial bodies, including the Supreme Court and Constitutional Council. According to Sonko, these maneuvers aim to consolidate power by bending institutions to serve political interests—a claim that underscores his broader indictment of a presidency straying from its original mandate.