Senegal opposition leader criticizes president faye’s leadership

During the inauguration of the Pastef party headquarters in Touba, a city 194 kilometers east of Dakar, Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, did not mince words in his criticism of President Diomaye Faye. The event provided a public platform for Sonko to voice his concerns about what he perceives as Faye’s lack of decisiveness and susceptibility to external influence.

«May God protect us from a timid president. It’s a disaster. He is someone who is easily manipulated. He allows politicians of the moment to sway him,» Sonko declared. He went on to allege that even the opposition is exploiting Faye’s perceived control over defense and security forces, suggesting that the President believes he could secure a second term through such maneuvers.

Sonko, who had previously backed Faye’s 2024 presidential bid, now reflects with hindsight. «With the benefit of distance, I realize he was secretly building his own party within ours,» he claimed. Sonko recalled Faye’s activities as Secretary-General and Coordinator of cadres, accusing him of strategic maneuvers to consolidate power. «Once he became president, he thought he could take over the majority of the party’s cadres after sidelining me. Unfortunately for him, nobody followed,» Sonko added, underscoring the strained relationship between the two political figures.