For months in Dakar, whispers in political circles, newsrooms, and even government corridors had grown louder: the alliance that propelled Senegal’s opposition to victory was unraveling. The once-powerful campaign slogan « Diomaye mooy Sonko, Sonko mooy Diomaye »—meaning Diomaye is Sonko, and Sonko is Diomaye in Wolof—had lost its magic. Over time, it morphed into a starker reality: « Diomaye is no longer Sonko. » The two men, once inseparable, now made little effort to hide their growing rift.
Their disagreements weren’t minor. From clashing governance styles to power struggles between their inner circles, the tensions escalated until cohabitation at the highest level of the state became unsustainable. Methodological differences, competing visions for leadership, and a battle for true authority had turned their partnership into a liability. One of them had to step back—or step out.
Ousmane Sonko’s calculated gamble
Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, had long been pushing Bassirou Diomaye Faye toward a breaking point. The former prime minister understood that sharing power with a president intent on asserting full control was unsustainable. Yet he also knew that if a public confrontation erupted, his emotional and militant support within the party would likely tip the scales in his favor.
The real trap lay in forcing Diomaye Faye into an impossible choice: uphold institutional authority or preserve the political unity of the Pastef. By staying in government while openly asserting his independence—through ambiguous statements, public disagreements, and subtle reminders of his status as the movement’s founder—Sonko systematically increased the pressure on the president.
Diomaye Faye found himself cornered. If he tolerated this dual leadership, he risked appearing weak—a president unable to enforce his mandate. If he dismissed Sonko, he risked betraying the founding spirit of the Pastef in the eyes of many supporters, who still saw Sonko as the movement’s undisputed leader.
Sonko, in fact, stood to gain from being forced out. His removal could transform him from a disgraced figure into a martyr, reclaiming his role as the central figure of the movement’s historic struggle against the old regime.
The dangers of new alliances
Bassirou Diomaye Faye may have fallen into another trap: the influence of a new circle of advisors. Since taking office, opportunistic politicians, former allies of Macky Sall’s regime, and political turncoats have surrounded the president, whispering the same mantra: “You are the president. Show them who is in charge.”
While such rhetoric appeals to the ego of any leader, it warrants caution. Where were these same voices during the Pastef’s years of persecution—when Sonko faced imprisonment, violent crackdowns on protests, and smear campaigns? Many were comfortably benefiting from the system they now condemn with revolutionary fervor.
These political chameleons thrive on division. Their survival often depends on exploiting fractures within movements, amplifying rivalries, and fueling egos. African political history is rife with examples of movements that crumbled not from external opposition, but from internal strife. Diomaye Faye risks misjudging their intentions: believing they genuinely support his consolidation of power, when in reality, many may be working to weaken the Pastef—and the vision it represents.
The looming risk of a Pastef fracture
An open power struggle is now underway—and Ousmane Sonko may hold the advantage. Senegal’s political landscape remains heavily shaped by the Pastef’s deep grassroots support, a mobilized youth base, and a powerful narrative forged during years of resistance against Macky Sall’s regime. Within this context, Sonko remains the movement’s central figure.
Even when barred from running in the presidential election, even when jailed, it was Sonko’s name that symbolized hope for change. Many voters saw Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory as a proxy win for Sonko himself.
The president wields institutional legitimacy, but Sonko commands undeniable popular and militant loyalty. Should a political or electoral showdown occur, this dynamic could prove decisive. If the Pastef splits between factions loyal to Diomaye Faye and those aligned with Sonko, there’s no guarantee the president would emerge victorious. Many party cadres, elected officials, and activists could rally behind the man they still view as the movement’s true leader. Crucially, Diomaye Faye lacks a fully autonomous political structure strong enough to counterbalance Sonko’s influence—a critical weakness.
The curse of political heirs
The tragedy of political heirs is universal: they often feel compelled to carve out their own identity. No president can indefinitely accept being perceived as a mere figurehead lacking real authority.
Beyond personalities, the very coherence of the Pastef’s project now hangs in the balance. The movement was born from a promise of profound change—good governance, sovereignty, social justice, and national dignity. Yet ego-driven conflicts have a way of derailing movements from their original mission.
The irony? Enemies of the Pastef may ultimately benefit from a crisis they didn’t even need to instigate.
