In a surprising turn of events, journalist Madiambal Diagne ignited a political firestorm by suggesting that Ousmane Sonko had resigned from his position as Prime Minister of Senegal. The claim, which immediately drew skepticism, prompted a swift response from Amadou Ba, a key figure in the PASTEF party.
The timing of the announcement—just as the party prepares for its upcoming congress—has raised eyebrows. Amadou Ba was quick to dismiss the report, linking it to a recently circulated resignation letter attributed to an anonymous PASTEF member. That document, too, has been widely disputed within the party’s ranks.
Amadou Ba points to a coordinated campaign
In a statement shared across social platforms, Amadou Ba framed the incident as part of a deliberate effort to tarnish the party’s reputation. He emphasized that there is “no coincidence” between the two separate claims—one involving a journalist’s report and the other a disputed resignation letter—suggesting they may be part of a broader strategy to trigger defamation lawsuits, potentially linked to asylum requests abroad.
Meanwhile, PASTEF remains laser-focused on finalizing preparations for its upcoming internal congress, a process that has already faced its share of challenges and delays.
No official confirmation, no resignations
Despite the flurry of speculation, neither the Prime Minister’s office nor the presidency has issued any statement endorsing the claims of a resignation. Multiple PASTEF leaders have publicly refuted the allegations, leaving observers to question the motives behind the sudden surge in unverified reports.
The episode underscores the growing tensions within Senegal’s political landscape, where misinformation and strategic leaks are increasingly being used as tools in high-stakes power dynamics.
