Ousmane Sonko, the influential leader of Senegal’s National Assembly and former Prime Minister, has secured a decisive re-election as head of his party, the Pastef, sending a strong signal to political opponents amid the nation’s ongoing turmoil.
Delegates from across Senegal and the diaspora convened in Diamniadio, near Dakar, for the party’s inaugural congress. Sonko, who has led Pastef since its founding in 2014, will now serve another six-year term at its helm.
Addressing the crowd, Sonko emphasized the gravity of his new mandate, stating, “I fully grasp the magnitude of this responsibility—Pastf is no ordinary party in Senegal’s political landscape.”
He cautioned that revolutions risk being derailed without a clear doctrine and a robust organizational structure capable of sustaining long-term change. “This congress is historic, coming two years after our rise to the highest offices,” he declared.
Sonko’s political influence was further solidified when Bassirou Diomaye Faye, backed by Pastef, won the 2024 presidential election. However, their alliance fractured earlier this year, leading to Sonko’s removal as Prime Minister on May 22 and his subsequent election as Assembly President just days later.
In a defiant speech to Pastef members, Sonko warned against efforts to undermine the party’s vision. “No attempt to sabotage this revolution will succeed because the people, standing alongside Pastef, will ensure we finally free our nation,” he asserted. His words underscored the deepening rift between party factions and the government.
Despite some Pastef members joining Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s newly formed cabinet, the party’s leadership has chosen to boycott the government entirely. With a commanding 130 of the 165 Assembly seats, Pastef holds the power to trigger a no-confidence vote at any time. Meanwhile, the President retains the authority to reshuffle the government following a censure and can dissolve the Assembly as early as November 2026.
