In a candid interview, Senegalese Minister Yankhoba Diémé addressed the escalating tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. He dismissed Sonko’s repeated claims of victimization as a deliberate tactic to manipulate public opinion and deflect scrutiny from pressing national issues.

Diémé characterized Sonko’s approach as a blend of narcissism and manipulative rhetoric, arguing that such behavior ultimately distorts perceptions of leadership and responsibility. “What we are witnessing is an attempt to recast the aggressor as the victim, using emotional appeals to sway the public,” he stated during the discussion.

Indemnification delays: minister clears president of responsibility

On the contentious matter of delayed compensations for former detainees, Diémé firmly rejected accusations implicating President Faye. “Claims that the president is responsible for these delays are baseless,” he asserted. “The president explicitly instructed the Prime Minister and the Minister for Family Affairs during a cabinet meeting to resolve this issue promptly.”

He also challenged the narrative surrounding Ousmane Sonko’s donation of his four-million-CFA salary to victims, calling it a deliberate distraction from the state’s broader obligations in addressing their grievances.

Political funds controversy: parliament’s role under scrutiny

Highlighting the 1.77 billion CFA francs allocated as political funds to the Prime Minister’s office, Diémé questioned why these resources had not been utilized to expedite compensations. “Parliament was the first to reveal these figures. Had these funds been deployed effectively, countless victims could have received support much sooner,” he emphasized, citing financial simulations to reinforce his argument.

Constitutional reform debate: accusations of parliamentary misconduct

The minister condemned what he described as parliamentary trickery during the recent constitutional reform process. “The president called for inclusive dialogue, yet certain actors exploited this process to advance personal agendas,” he remarked. “This is not how national consensus is built.”

Macky Sall’s return: defending president faye’s stance

Addressing criticism over former President Macky Sall’s presence in Senegal, Diémé defended President Faye’s decision to allow his predecessor freedom of movement under state protection. “The president is acting within his constitutional mandate,” he explained. “Macky Sall faces no legal proceedings, and Senegalese law strictly regulates any potential action against former heads of state.”

He urged young activists to refrain from unfounded accusations, reminding them that only lawmakers hold the authority to initiate high treason proceedings. “Accusations without evidence serve no purpose other than to fuel division,” he cautioned. “True leadership requires respect for legal frameworks and due process.”

Diémé concluded by affirming that if Macky Sall were to provide clarity on unresolved matters, there would be no impediment to a respectful exchange with President Faye, in line with republican principles.