In a dramatic press conference today, Ousmane Sonko, former Prime Minister of Senegal and leader of the Pastef movement, made explosive claims about a pre-election agreement with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Speaking from what he described as a prison cell at Cap Manuel, Sonko swore on the Quran that a political protocol had been established between the two leaders before the 2024 presidential elections.
Sonko revealed that Bassirou Diomaye Faye visited him during his detention to discuss the future of their political alliance. According to Sonko’s account, the then-imprisoned leader firmly rejected proposals to postpone the presidential vote and instead pledged his support for Faye’s candidacy. « I told him: I have chosen you as our candidate, and together we will campaign, win the election, and govern together. In 2029, we will return to the original plan, » Sonko recounted.
Underlining the gravity of his statement, Sonko took an oath, declaring, « I swear before God and the Holy Quran that this protocol of Cap Manuel truly existed. » His claims have sent shockwaves through Senegal’s political landscape, raising questions about the nature of the agreement between the two figures who played pivotal roles in the country’s 2024 political transition.
Faye’s commitment to structural reforms
According to Sonko, Bassirou Diomaye Faye not only accepted the political arrangement but also framed his presidency as a period dedicated to implementing difficult reforms. « He told me: this mandate will be one of tough reforms. I will take responsibility for them, and you will have a clear path ahead, » Sonko shared.
The former Prime Minister also alleged that he had suggested involving witnesses to formalize the agreement, but Faye reportedly dismissed the idea, citing their mutual trust. Sonko quoted Faye as saying he would consider his own son, who shares his name, if he ever betrayed their political pact.
2029 presidential election: a conditional alliance
Sonko further disclosed that discussions about the 2029 presidential election were part of their Cap Manuel protocol. He claimed to have told Faye that their continued collaboration would depend on the fulfillment of their prior commitments. « I told him that if he maintained this path, I would support his candidacy in 2029. Otherwise, I would run myself, » Sonko stated.
Faye’s response, according to Sonko, was unequivocal: « He told me he would be my campaign director, » the Pastef leader revealed.
These revelations come at a time of escalating tensions between the two former allies, casting new light on the behind-the-scenes agreements that preceded Senegal’s historic political shift in 2024.
