Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – A growing pattern within Senegal’s ruling party, PASTEF, is raising questions about its commitment to the ethical and patriotic ideals it once championed, as internal divisions increasingly dictate how individuals are judged by party militants.
The recent case of Ousseynou Ly, the former spokesperson of the presidency, has become emblematic of what critics describe as a fluid and often contradictory culture of political labeling within the party. Once vilified by pro-Ousmane Sonko activists as a “traitor,” Ly is now being rehabilitated in the eyes of the same base following his fallout with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Ly’s dismissal was formalized by a presidential decree on April 30, 2026, appointing lawyer Abdoulaye Tine as his replacement. His removal is widely seen as tied to his perceived alignment with Sonko during an escalating rift between the Prime Minister and the President, two figures who once stood united at the helm of PASTEF’s political project.
From Condemnation to Rehabilitation
For months, Ly had been the target of intense criticism from segments of the party’s militant base after publicly defending President Faye against accusations, amplified by Sonko, of interfering in the justice system. Ly had argued that calls for reconciliation by the President were being misinterpreted, insisting they were aimed at stabilizing the political environment rather than obstructing judicial processes.
His measured stance, however, ran counter to the increasingly dominant narrative among pro-Sonko supporters, who framed dissent as betrayal. As a result, Ly was branded disloyal and gradually marginalized.
Yet, almost immediately after his dismissal, reportedly for siding with Sonko in the leadership dispute, the tone shifted. The same networks that had ostracized him began portraying him as a victim of political maneuvering, underscoring what analysts describe as a troubling tendency within the party: the reclassification of individuals not based on principle or conduct, but on shifting allegiances.
A Party Defined by Alignment?
Political observers argue that Ly’s trajectory reflects a broader transformation within PASTEF—from a movement grounded in democratic debate to one increasingly shaped by personal loyalty dynamics.
Analyst Idrissa Fall Cissé highlighted what he called a “binary logic” within the party: individuals are categorized as either “good” or “bad” depending on their alignment at a given moment. “The same person can move from one category to another overnight, not because of their actions, but because of their positioning,” he noted, echoing sentiments widely circulating in political commentary.
This phenomenon is not isolated. Figures such as Seydina Oumar Touré, once celebrated by party supporters, have also faced backlash after expressing views perceived as sympathetic to President Faye.
Others, including Ousmane Barro and Aldiouma Sow, are reportedly under scrutiny by segments of the militant base for alleged “double positioning.”
Warnings of Internal Erosion
President Faye himself has cautioned against what he described as a drift toward “messianism” within the party, warning that such tendencies could undermine its long-term viability. While reaffirming his loyalty to Sonko, he stressed his commitment to the broader political project rather than to any individual figure.
“If PASTEF continues on this trajectory, it risks heading straight into a wall,” the President warned, signaling concern over internal fractures and the growing personalization of political authority.
Implications for PASTEF’s Credibility
The unfolding dynamics raise critical questions about PASTEF’s identity as a party that rose to prominence on a platform of integrity, accountability, and patriotic renewal. The apparent readiness of some militants to brand individuals as traitors, only to later reverse course, suggests a politicization of loyalty that critics say undermines the party’s moral claims.
As Senegal approaches future electoral contests, the ability of PASTEF to reconcile these internal contradictions may prove decisive, not only for its cohesion but also for its credibility among voters who once saw it as a break from the very political practices it now appears to replicate.
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