Political fractures within Senegal’s Pastef party have escalated, with Aldiouma Sow publicly denouncing Ousmane Sonko’s leadership. Speaking on national television on 6 July 2026, Sow — a key figure aligned with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye — argued that Sonko’s behaviour has diverged sharply from the party’s original ethos.

Sow asserted that Sonko’s “messianic” tendencies, which only surfaced after the party took power, betray the collective vision that initially united Pastef’s members. He described these changes as a fundamental departure from the party’s democratic principles, warning that such shifts risk undermining its credibility in the eyes of both supporters and critics.

Sow’s critique comes amid growing tensions between Sonko and President Faye, who has distanced himself from Pastef to establish his own political movement. The televised remarks underscore deepening divisions within the party, with Sow positioning himself as a vocal advocate for Faye’s agenda while openly challenging Sonko’s leadership.

This latest intervention follows weeks of public statements by Sow, who has increasingly aligned himself with the President while sharply criticising the Assembly President. The evolving dynamics within Pastef reflect broader struggles over the party’s direction and its future role in Senegal’s political landscape.