In Touba, amid the “48 heures de Pastef” gathering, Ousmane Sonko delivered a fresh critique aimed at President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, highlighting ongoing disagreements regarding the handling of the presidency’s “caisse noire.” While elaborating on his party’s funding mechanisms, the Pastef leader emphasized that, in his view, the political organization consciously avoids utilizing state resources for its operational expenses.

“Pastef is not a party that draws from state coffers to finance its initiatives. This is forbidden for us,” he declared to an assembly of his supporters. This statement clearly referenced the ongoing dispute between the two prominent figures concerning the management of the presidential discretionary fund. For several weeks, Ousmane Sonko has been vocal in his opposition to the continued existence of this fund, contending that it contradicts the very principles of transparency that both he and President Faye championed prior to their ascent to power.

Although he did not explicitly name the head of state in Touba, Sonko strongly implied that these public resources could potentially be leveraged to bolster a political base in anticipation of future electoral contests. He reiterated that Pastef, conversely, prioritizes funding through membership dues and contributions from its dedicated militants. The Pastef president also addressed those who have questioned the remarkable success of his party’s membership card sales campaign. Labeling certain political figures as “bitter,” he invoked a powerful Wolof proverb: “s’il n’y a pas de mort, dina am blessé,” an evocative phrase suggesting that Pastef’s political adversaries will inevitably face consequences as the party continues its significant rise.