In Senegal, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko held a press conference on June 2, addressing the reasons behind his party Pastef’s decision to decline participation in the newly formed government. The cabinet lineup was announced the previous day by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration.

Sonko highlighted fundamental policy disagreements and disputes over ministerial portfolio distribution as key reasons for the refusal. He emphasized that the party sought assurances from the president regarding critical issues such as justice reform, financial accountability, and renegotiation of strategic contracts, particularly debt management strategies.

« The responses provided by the president were ambiguous, » Sonko stated, citing the lack of concrete commitments on debt restructuring with the IMF. On purchasing power, he noted vague assurances about adjusting prices for subsidized products, while claims about Senegal’s judicial system were dismissed as unrealistic.

Demands for balanced representation

Sonko stressed that Pastef had demanded at least half of the ministerial positions to ensure meaningful influence. He also criticized the legitimacy of five ministers in the new government who were reportedly affiliated with his party but not endorsed by Pastef. Despite this, he ruled out filing a no-confidence motion unless the administration initiated hostilities first.

The announcement underscores the deepening political tensions in Senegal as the new government begins its term amid unresolved disputes between party leaders and the executive.