Political observers are abuzz following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s surprising proposal to former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. In a candid account of the events surrounding his dismissal, Sonko reveals the unexpected conditions set by the presidency during their final hours of collaboration.
The former head of government shared exclusive insights into the tense exchanges that unfolded after his removal from office. According to his testimony, President Faye requested that their separation be framed as a mutual agreement—an offer Sonko firmly declined. “He wanted me to declare that we parted ways by mutual consent,” Sonko stated, emphasizing that no prior discussion had taken place.
Behind the scenes of a contested departure
Sonko’s account paints a picture of a decision made unilaterally. He claims the presidency proceeded with the announcement without consulting him on the political messaging surrounding his exit. The former Prime Minister admitted he had set a clear boundary at the start of their partnership: he would not initiate the break. After the announcement, he returned home the same day, followed by days of silence from both sides.
The fallout extended beyond the initial dismissal. Sonko revealed that consultations with outgoing ministers from Pastef had already begun as part of the new government formation process. He advised these ministers to avoid direct engagement with the presidency, insisting that any discussions should go through official party channels—a move that further strained relations.
A stalled reconciliation attempt
Days of impasse followed, with Sonko asserting that his proposals for mediated discussions involving key political figures—including Birame Souleye Diop, El Malick Ndiaye, Alioune Sall, and Daouda Ngom—were never realized. The final negotiations, he said, were later conducted with the new Prime Minister, Al Aminou Lo, but no resolution was reached on critical issues such as accountability, justice, or public debt management.
