A fresh development has emerged in the political scene of Podor department, marked by the departure of a key local figure from the Pastef party. Ibrahima Diam Sow, who served as the inaugural coordinator for Pastef in the Méri commune and leads the Mouvement des patriotes soumis (MPI), has formally declared his dissociation from the political movement spearheaded by Ousmane Sonko.

Having previously held the position of communication manager for Pastef in the Podor region, Ibrahima Diam Sow explains his decision to withdraw stems from profound disagreements concerning the party’s present direction. He specifically points to what he describes as “numerous contradictions” and critiques an internal environment that he likens to a “dictatorship of single thought”. In his view, these developments have made it impossible for him to identify with Pastef’s political agenda any longer.

Embracing a new political direction, the seasoned official now openly declares his support for the Diomaye-Président coalition and expresses his commitment to backing the initiatives of Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His stance, he asserts, is driven by a core belief encapsulated in his declaration: “We prioritize the homeland above the party.”

As a prominent figure from Pastef’s formative years in Senegal’s northern territories, Ibrahima Diam Sow played a crucial role in establishing the party’s presence within this vital area. His contributions include facilitating the inaugural visit of Ousmane Sonko to the region in 2017 and actively engaging in various mobilization campaigns alongside local political leaders, such as Ibrahima Sy.