Pastef President Ousmane Sonko has recently shared new insights into his working relationship with the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, particularly concerning the process that led to the establishment of the new government under Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo.
During a press briefing held on Tuesday, June 2, the former Prime Minister expressed his strong disapproval of what he perceives as an attempt to bypass Pastef’s governing bodies during the consultations for assembling the new cabinet.
According to Sonko, several departing ministers were individually contacted by the Head of State. He views this approach as fundamentally contrary to the party’s operational principles. “Many outgoing ministers received calls for consultations regarding government formation. One cannot individually contact Pastef members. We are an organized party with established leadership structures,” Sonko asserted.
For Ousmane Sonko, this method was part of a deliberate strategy to destabilize the ruling political party. “This is a strategy to dismantle and weaken Pastef. That is why he attempted to negotiate directly with party members without engaging its official bodies,” he affirmed.
The Pastef leader also recounted a specific discussion he had with Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding his political influence within the party. “During a meeting, he declared that he was the most representative figure in Pastef. I responded that he should simply organize a rally without Ousmane Sonko. If he manages to gather a hundred people, then we shall see. Starting with Ndiaganiao, his own commune that he cannot even win,” Sonko declared, adding, “He holds no representative power within Pastef.”
The former head of government further revealed that several departing ministers had advised the incoming Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to channel all consultations through the party’s leadership. This suggestion, according to Sonko, was not heeded.
“The outgoing ministers informed Al Aminou Lo that the President of the Republic should engage with the President of the Pastef party. He refused to meet with me or with certain officials I had designated,” Sonko elaborated.
Ousmane Sonko also claimed to have tried persuading the Head of State to prioritize dialogue through the party’s established structures. “I called him on the phone to ask him to go through Pastef to consult the outgoing ministers. But he maintained his position. A few days later, he continued to call certain ministers and party officials who, in turn, refused his overtures,” he recounted.
Finally, the Pastef leader disclosed the events leading to his eventual meeting with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, which reportedly occurred after mediation efforts involving the current Prime Minister. “Ultimately, we met after mediation by Al Aminou Lo and other individuals. He sent me a message late on Monday evening (June 1) asking me to come to the Palace. I replied that I could not come immediately, but would be there the next day at 8 AM. That is how the meeting took place,” he concluded.
During a press briefing held on Tuesday, June 2, the former Prime Minister expressed his strong disapproval of what he perceives as an attempt to bypass Pastef’s governing bodies during the consultations for assembling the new cabinet.
According to Sonko, several departing ministers were individually contacted by the Head of State. He views this approach as fundamentally contrary to the party’s operational principles. “Many outgoing ministers received calls for consultations regarding government formation. One cannot individually contact Pastef members. We are an organized party with established leadership structures,” Sonko asserted.
For Ousmane Sonko, this method was part of a deliberate strategy to destabilize the ruling political party. “This is a strategy to dismantle and weaken Pastef. That is why he attempted to negotiate directly with party members without engaging its official bodies,” he affirmed.
The Pastef leader also recounted a specific discussion he had with Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding his political influence within the party. “During a meeting, he declared that he was the most representative figure in Pastef. I responded that he should simply organize a rally without Ousmane Sonko. If he manages to gather a hundred people, then we shall see. Starting with Ndiaganiao, his own commune that he cannot even win,” Sonko declared, adding, “He holds no representative power within Pastef.”
The former head of government further revealed that several departing ministers had advised the incoming Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, to channel all consultations through the party’s leadership. This suggestion, according to Sonko, was not heeded.
“The outgoing ministers informed Al Aminou Lo that the President of the Republic should engage with the President of the Pastef party. He refused to meet with me or with certain officials I had designated,” Sonko elaborated.
Ousmane Sonko also claimed to have tried persuading the Head of State to prioritize dialogue through the party’s established structures. “I called him on the phone to ask him to go through Pastef to consult the outgoing ministers. But he maintained his position. A few days later, he continued to call certain ministers and party officials who, in turn, refused his overtures,” he recounted.
Finally, the Pastef leader disclosed the events leading to his eventual meeting with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, which reportedly occurred after mediation efforts involving the current Prime Minister. “Ultimately, we met after mediation by Al Aminou Lo and other individuals. He sent me a message late on Monday evening (June 1) asking me to come to the Palace. I replied that I could not come immediately, but would be there the next day at 8 AM. That is how the meeting took place,” he concluded.
Ousmane Sonko alleges Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s bid to undermine Pastef and reveals government formation insights