Ousmane sonko’s sharp critique of president bassirou diomaye faye ignites debate in touba
During the recent 48-hour Pastef event in Touba, Ousmane Sonko seized the opportunity to deliver pointed criticism towards President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His remarks primarily focused on the contentious management of the presidential “caisse noire” or discretionary fund. The influential Pastef leader firmly asserted that his political movement operates independently of state coffers, advocating instead for a funding model sustained by member contributions.
At the Pastef gathering held in Touba, Ousmane Sonko once again directed veiled disapproval at President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This latest instance of friction stems from ongoing disagreements regarding the administration of the presidency’s “caisse noire.” In articulating Pastef’s financial principles, Sonko emphasized that his political entity, in his view, does not rely on public money to finance its various activities and programs.
“Pastef is not a party that dips into state funds to finance its agenda. That is forbidden for us,” he declared to an assembly of his dedicated supporters. This statement directly referenced the growing rift between the two prominent political figures concerning the presidential discretionary fund. For several weeks, Ousmane Sonko has consistently voiced his disapproval of this fund’s existence, arguing that it stands in stark contrast to the principles of transparency and accountability they championed prior to assuming power.
While in Touba, Sonko refrained from explicitly naming the head of state, but he strongly implied that these public resources could potentially be utilized to bolster a political base in anticipation of future electoral contests. He reiterated Pastef’s commitment to funding its operations solely through membership fees and militant contributions. The Pastef president also took aim at those who have questioned the impressive success of his party’s membership card sales campaign. Labeling certain political adversaries as “bitter,” he issued a proverb in Wolof: “s’il n’y a pas de mort, dina am blessé,” an evocative expression suggesting that his political rivals will not emerge unscathed from Pastef’s burgeoning influence in the political Sahel landscape.
