Senegal’s new government is already feeling the tremors of internal discord just four months into its tenure, as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko face off over the future role of their ruling party, PASTEF, in the day-to-day affairs of the state.
The rift, simmering since the election campaign, has grown more visible as the two leaders articulate increasingly divergent visions: Faye prioritizes institutional independence and seeks to rise above party influence, while Sonko is adamant that PASTEF must remain central to governance.
Even before their electoral victory, the philosophical divide was apparent.
Sonko once reflected: “Because Diomaye doesn’t speak much, some people were afraid of him… But I want to reassure them—Diomaye is actually far less harsh.”
In one revealing episode, Sonko recounted telling Diomaye and Birame Souleye Diop during a period of intense repression: “If we ever take power, these people are going to regret it.”
Diomaye, however, stood firm: “No, President, we have to let that go.
There will be no witch hunts. No revenge.”
Sonko said he later revisited the conversation in prison, probing for any change in stance.
Diomaye remained resolute: “Never, President.
We must not make the same mistakes as our predecessors.
If we come to power, we must let justice do its job.”
Though once aligned with Diomaye’s moderate tone, Sonko’s posture has since shifted.
Now in power, he has grown more vocal, particularly when judicial decisions do not favor PASTEF.
His criticism of the judiciary has raised eyebrows and stirred debate over political overreach.
Faye, who resigned from PASTEF’s executive committee just two days after assuming the presidency on March 24, 2024, has embraced impartiality.
In his April 3 address, he pledged to uphold justice, reform political institutions, and ensure inclusive national dialogue—moves widely applauded by civil society.
Meanwhile, Sonko has doubled down on his party-first approach: “There’s no anomaly in the idea of an ‘Etat-Parti Pastef.’
The administration is an instrument.
It is the party in power that must dictate the direction of state policy.”
He insists PASTEF should remain a “party of struggle” even while in government.
“If someone no longer identifies with the party line, they should leave,” he said.
The contrast is stark. Diomaye champions judicial independence, transparency, and restraint.
Sonko, meanwhile, pushes for party-led governance, citing the need to maintain control over state machinery to prevent reform backsliding.
“The party owns the power,” Sonko concluded.
But President Faye appears to believe that power ultimately belongs to the people—and to their institutions.
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