Ousmane Sonko, former Prime Minister and leader of the Pastef party, has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his abrupt removal from office. During a public address, he recounted the final moments of his collaboration with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, revealing tensions that had simmered beneath the surface for weeks.
The turning point, according to Sonko, occurred on Friday, May 25, following a session in the National Assembly. “The President called me to his office after my speech. We discussed routine matters, but he made it clear that continuing our partnership would be challenging,” Sonko stated. “He cited my statements in parliament as the primary reason, claiming they had caused significant complications.”
Sonko, who had previously considered stepping down voluntarily, insisted that he had discussed the possibility with the President three times since the legislative elections. “I told him directly that if my role in the Executive was hindering his agenda, I was ready to return to the Assembly to ensure a smooth collaboration,” he explained. “But he consistently refused, dismissing the idea outright.”
The former Prime Minister also described warning signs of an impending political rift in the weeks leading up to his dismissal. “I sensed growing friction at the highest level of government,” he said. “I confronted him about it, but by then, I was operating under his direct supervision at the Prime Minister’s office.” The final conversation, Sonko recalled, lacked any discussion about the terms of their separation. “He wanted me to publicly frame our departure as amicable. I refused.”
Faced with an untenable situation, Sonko proposed two alternatives to the President: either his return to the Assembly to allow the majority to appoint a new Prime Minister, or continued negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution. If neither option materialized, he argued, the President would need to take the decisive step of relieving him of his duties.
Sonko’s account includes a final, telling detail: President Faye had mentioned resuming discussions after a planned visit to Dakar’s Archbishop during Pentecost celebrations. “He assured me he would reconnect upon his return,” Sonko said. “Instead, at exactly 8:35 PM, a message arrived informing me of my dismissal. I accepted the decision as it was.”
Minutes later, the official announcement of his departure was broadcast by the Presidency’s Secretary-General. “Fifteen minutes after that, I saw the formal statement. I immediately began packing my belongings to return to Keur Gorgui, a place I had come to cherish,” Sonko concluded.
