At the Pastef gathering in Touba, Ousmane Sonko once again took aim at President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, highlighting ongoing disagreements regarding the administration of the presidential “caisse noire.” In defending Pastef’s financial practices, Sonko emphasized that his political movement, according to him, does not rely on state resources to fund its activities.

“Pastef is not a party that draws from state coffers to finance its programs. That is ‘haram’ (forbidden) for us,” he declared to his supporters. This statement directly alludes to the ongoing dispute between the two leaders concerning the management of the presidential secret fund. For several weeks, Ousmane Sonko has publicly questioned the very existence of this fund, arguing that it contradicts the principles of transparency that both he and President Faye championed before assuming power.

During his address in Touba, without explicitly naming the head of state, Sonko implied that these funds could potentially be used to consolidate a political base in anticipation of upcoming elections. He reiterated Pastef’s commitment to prioritizing membership fees and contributions from its dedicated militants. The Pastef president also addressed those who have criticized the successful membership card sales campaign of his party. Labeling certain political figures as “aigris” (bitter or resentful), he delivered a powerful message in Wolof: “s’il n’y a pas de mort, dina am blessé” – an evocative metaphor suggesting that his political adversaries will not emerge unscathed as Pastef continues to gain momentum.