Tensions have escalated in Senegal’s political landscape following an unusual request made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. In a rare public account, Ousmane Sonko has shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of his removal from office and the reasons behind his refusal to comply with the President’s proposal.

Behind closed doors: the conditions of a contested departure

Ousmane Sonko, a key figure in the ruling coalition, has described his exit from government as an unplanned and unwelcome development. According to his testimony, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged him to frame the separation as a mutual agreement, a suggestion that Sonko firmly rejected. He emphasized that no prior discussion had taken place before the decision was made unilaterally by the presidency.

Sonko revealed that he proposed a 24 to 48-hour window to organize the practical aspects of his departure. However, he claims the process was set in motion immediately, without any prior agreement on how the political communication of the split would be handled.

A political separation viewed through different lenses

The former Prime Minister has framed his removal as a liberation that did not impact his political standing. He stated that from the beginning of their collaboration, he had insisted on one principle: never being the initiator of a break. After his dismissal was announced, he returned home the same day and observed a period of silence before any further exchanges took place.

Sonko also addressed the subsequent formation of a new government, revealing that he had learned the presidency had begun consultations with outgoing ministers from the Pastef party. He advised these ministers not to respond to the summons, arguing that all discussions should go through the party’s official channels. This stance, he claims, further strained relations between the parties involved.

Failed attempts at reconciliation

According to Sonko, the deadlock lasted several days before efforts were made to re-establish contact. He proposed a meeting involving multiple political figures, including Birame Souleye Diop, El Malick Ndiaye, Alioune Sall, and Daouda Ngom. However, this initiative did not come to fruition. Later discussions were reportedly held with the new Prime Minister, Al Aminou Lo, but no resolution was reached on critical issues such as justice, accountability, and public debt management.