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Following his removal from office and the formation of a new government excluding members of his party, PASTEF, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko broke his silence in a press briefing that shed light on the growing rift between him and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The remarks, delivered with measured intensity, highlighted Sonko’s frustration over the lack of direct communication with the head of state. He pointedly noted that while the President engaged with other political figures, he refused to engage with Sonko himself.
« There’s no dialogue between us, yet the President meets with others, » Sonko stated, emphasizing that the current tensions should not be misconstrued as a personal falling-out.
Reflecting on their shared political journey, he stressed that the bond between his movement and the administration had once been strong. « Our paths were aligned, but the President now sides with a different approach, » Sonko added, quoting in Wolof to underscore his point.
Despite the escalating disagreements, he reassured that the relationship with the President had never escalated into direct confrontation. « We’ve never exchanged harsh words face to face, » he insisted, though his tone suggested deeper unease.
Sonko framed the dispute as a matter of policy rather than personal conflict, arguing that the real adversaries were not within the government but the rising cost of living, transportation woes, and the daily struggles of Malians. « Our people’s hardships are the true challenge—not political infighting, » he declared.
The remarks come at a pivotal moment, as the reshuffle and Sonko’s public statements fuel speculation about the future of his party’s role in the administration and the broader political landscape.
