The leader of Pastef, Ousmane Sonko, has made significant new disclosures concerning his working relationship with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, particularly regarding the intricate process that led to the establishment of the new government under Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo.
During a press briefing held this Tuesday, June 2, the former Prime Minister openly criticized what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to circumvent Pastef’s established leadership bodies during consultations for the formation of the new cabinet.
According to Sonko, President Faye individually approached several outgoing ministers. This approach, he asserted, directly contradicts the party’s operational principles. “Many outgoing ministers were contacted for consultations regarding government formation. One cannot individually call members of Pastef. We are an organized party with governing bodies,” he stated emphatically.
Ousmane Sonko believes this method served a strategic purpose: to destabilize the ruling political party. “This is a strategy to dismantle and weaken Pastef. That’s why he attempted to negotiate directly with party members without engaging its official structures,” he affirmed.
The Pastef leader also recounted a discussion he had with Bassirou Diomaye Faye concerning his own political influence within the party. “During a meeting, he declared himself the most representative figure in Pastef. I challenged him, suggesting he organize a rally without Ousmane Sonko. If he manages to gather a hundred people, then we can talk. Starting with Ndiaganiao, his own commune, which he cannot even win,” Sonko asserted, adding: “He holds no true representativeness within Pastef.”
Furthermore, the former head of government claimed that several outgoing ministers advised the new Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to conduct all consultations through the party’s leadership. A suggestion that, in Sonko’s view, was ultimately ignored.
“The outgoing ministers informed Al Aminou Lo that the President of the Republic should engage through the Pastef party president. He refused to meet with me or with certain officials I had designated,” Sonko explained.
Ousmane Sonko further detailed his efforts to convince the head of state to prioritize dialogue with the party’s structures. “I called him by phone to ask him to go through Pastef to consult the outgoing ministers. But he remained steadfast in his position. A few days later, he continued to call certain ministers and party officials, who consequently refused his overtures,” he declared.
Finally, the Pastef leader revealed the precise circumstances of his meeting with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, which reportedly occurred after mediation involving the current Prime Minister and others. “Ultimately, we met following mediation by Al Aminou Lo and other individuals. He sent me a message late on Monday evening (June 1) asking me to come to the Palace. I replied that I couldn’t come immediately but would be there the next day at 8 AM. That is how the meeting took place,” he recounted.
During a press briefing held this Tuesday, June 2, the former Prime Minister openly criticized what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to circumvent Pastef’s established leadership bodies during consultations for the formation of the new cabinet.
According to Sonko, President Faye individually approached several outgoing ministers. This approach, he asserted, directly contradicts the party’s operational principles. “Many outgoing ministers were contacted for consultations regarding government formation. One cannot individually call members of Pastef. We are an organized party with governing bodies,” he stated emphatically.
Ousmane Sonko believes this method served a strategic purpose: to destabilize the ruling political party. “This is a strategy to dismantle and weaken Pastef. That’s why he attempted to negotiate directly with party members without engaging its official structures,” he affirmed.
The Pastef leader also recounted a discussion he had with Bassirou Diomaye Faye concerning his own political influence within the party. “During a meeting, he declared himself the most representative figure in Pastef. I challenged him, suggesting he organize a rally without Ousmane Sonko. If he manages to gather a hundred people, then we can talk. Starting with Ndiaganiao, his own commune, which he cannot even win,” Sonko asserted, adding: “He holds no true representativeness within Pastef.”
Furthermore, the former head of government claimed that several outgoing ministers advised the new Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to conduct all consultations through the party’s leadership. A suggestion that, in Sonko’s view, was ultimately ignored.
“The outgoing ministers informed Al Aminou Lo that the President of the Republic should engage through the Pastef party president. He refused to meet with me or with certain officials I had designated,” Sonko explained.
Ousmane Sonko further detailed his efforts to convince the head of state to prioritize dialogue with the party’s structures. “I called him by phone to ask him to go through Pastef to consult the outgoing ministers. But he remained steadfast in his position. A few days later, he continued to call certain ministers and party officials, who consequently refused his overtures,” he declared.
Finally, the Pastef leader revealed the precise circumstances of his meeting with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, which reportedly occurred after mediation involving the current Prime Minister and others. “Ultimately, we met following mediation by Al Aminou Lo and other individuals. He sent me a message late on Monday evening (June 1) asking me to come to the Palace. I replied that I couldn’t come immediately but would be there the next day at 8 AM. That is how the meeting took place,” he recounted.
