Question: The cabinet features 30 ministers, some with Pastef affiliations, yet no party heavyweights. Does this composition raise questions about its democratic or electoral legitimacy?
Aminata Touré: It’s important to recall fundamental democratic principles. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected by the Senegalese people with a clear 54% mandate. He then appoints the Prime Minister, who subsequently proposes the government for his approval. This is precisely the scenario we are witnessing – the President’s choice, made in consultation with his Prime Minister. This government signifies a commitment to effectiveness. Beyond any political discourse, the Senegalese public is primarily concerned with seeing their leaders get to work on pressing national issues.
Question: With Pastef holding a majority in the National Assembly, led by Ousmane Sonko, many are already anticipating a period of cohabitation. Do you foresee potential governance challenges for the executive branch in this context?
First, let’s remember that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is himself a member of Pastef, and several ministers in the new government also belong to the party. Therefore, this is largely an internal party matter. Secondly, if all parties respect their constitutional mandates and prioritize Senegal’s national interests, significant problems should be avoidable. My hope is that no institution will be leveraged to serve personal agendas. We cannot afford perpetual internal political disputes; it’s simply not feasible. If everyone focuses on the welfare of the population, who desperately need stability, not institutional crises, then each branch – the National Assembly, the executive, and the judiciary, including the Constitutional Council in its role of reviewing laws – will effectively fulfill its duties. The Senegalese people expect this, and I believe they will judge based on tangible results.
Question: Regarding the disagreements between Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, particularly concerning accountability and a perceived lack of resolve on this issue, does this new government signal an end to Pastef’s promised political moralization?
Why should it be the end? Perhaps it marks the beginning of an accountability process conducted in full alignment with judicial independence. Accountability does not equate to settling scores; these are two distinct concepts. Having served as Minister of Justice, I understand this distinction well. You may have a political adversary you dislike and wish to see removed from the political landscape, but that alone is insufficient for a judge to issue a conviction. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye remains more committed than ever to genuine accountability, not to political retribution.
Question: On the issue of national debt, Ousmane Sonko has consistently rejected the idea of restructuring with the International Monetary Fund. Will this new government adopt a different approach to this critical economic challenge?
This is not an ideological matter; it is a profoundly practical one. When you owe money to creditors and face difficulties in repayment – perhaps due to an underestimated or previously concealed debt, whatever terminology one chooses – the ultimate task is to find a way to honor those obligations. This will undoubtedly involve discussions about debt reprofiling and engagement with our international partners. However, in these discussions, it is crucial that our partners understand the imperative not to destabilize the very foundation upon which we stand. The term “restructuring” often evokes the severe hardships of the 1980s, which saw cuts to social programs, mass layoffs, and a plunge into deeper poverty. It took at least two decades to recover from those structural adjustments. We are certainly not advocating for a repeat of that. Instead, it is about strategically reprofiling the debt and engaging with partners to forge a sustainable strategy for Senegal and its citizens.
Question: Could Pastef’s refusal to join the government be interpreted as an attempt to undermine President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration, thereby positioning Ousmane Sonko favorably for the 2029 presidential election? We know everyone is already looking towards that horizon.
It is entirely legitimate for anyone to aspire to the presidency in 2029. Therefore, one cannot accuse anyone of harboring presidential ambitions, just as one cannot prevent President Bassirou Diomaye Faye from expressing a desire to continue his work through a second term. In my opinion, that is not the core issue. The central concern is that voters themselves have no desire to be embroiled in a three-year election campaign; that would be a profound disservice to them. I believe what the Senegalese people truly want now is a resolute focus on solving the numerous problems they face. That is the objective of the new Prime Minister: to act, to bring about transformation. The electoral competition will unfold in due course. To attempt sabotage now would be to sabotage the aspirations of the Senegalese people. I sincerely hope that is not anyone’s intention. As I’ve stated, democracy must be allowed to function. We are not obligated to share identical views, but we must always prioritize the country’s best interests.
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