Aldiouma Sow, a prominent member of the National Political Bureau of Pastef, has issued a detailed public statement to support party officials who have aligned themselves with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This intervention arrives as the political landscape in Sénégal is increasingly defined by the growing distance between the Head of State and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko.
The commitment to national dialogue
According to Sow, the political outreach initiated by President Faye is rooted in a deep-seated personal conviction rather than a mere tactical maneuver. He emphasizes that the President’s call for national dialogue in May 2025 reflects a consistent philosophy. “For him, dialogue is not a situational adjustment,” Sow noted, highlighting that the Head of State dedicated significant time to these consultations despite having no constitutional or moral obligation to do so.
Denial of the Cap Manuel secret agreement
A major focus of Sow’s declaration was the dismissal of rumors regarding a clandestine deal allegedly brokered at Cap Manuel prison prior to the President’s release. Sow categorically stated that Bassirou Diomaye Faye never entered into any secret pact during his detention. This statement stands in direct opposition to recent claims made by Ousmane Sonko, who asserted that such an agreement exists between himself and the President. Sow further suggested that it was actually other political figures who, while incarcerated, swore on the Quran to hand over power to Sonko upon taking office.
Warnings against destructive internal dynamics
The political bureau member expressed grave concerns over what he describes as a “destructive messianism” that he believes has threatened the party’s integrity since 2022. He pointed to the selection process for previous legislative and local elections, where veteran members of Pastef were reportedly pushed aside in favor of recent allies. Sow warned that if this trend continues in upcoming elections, it could lead to the political collapse of the party’s grassroots base, urging local coordinators to resist this top-down pressure.
Support for government ministers
Addressing the ministers who have remained in the executive branch despite internal party friction, Sow offered words of encouragement. He told them to take pride in their work, asserting that even if they are removed from digital communication groups or suspended from official party structures, their connection to the broader patriotic project cannot be severed by political maneuvers.
In his concluding remarks, Sow reached out to those who remain undecided within the party. He invited lawmakers and cadres still influenced by the current leadership style to reconsider their positions, suggesting that there is still time to pivot before the party’s internal cohesion is permanently damaged.
