Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – With the growing political rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, escalating into a full-fledged power struggle, mediators have volunteered to avoid the crisis threatening the cohesion of Senegal’s ruling alliance.
Internal sources within Pastef and the Diomaye Président coalition say tensions, long simmering beneath the surface, suddenly intensified in July 2025 before erupting publicly during Sonko’s controversial Tera-rally in Dakar.
A Fallout Sparked by a Heated Palace Confrontation
The decisive rupture reportedly occurred on 14 July 2025, three days after Sonko made contentious remarks at a Pastef event held at the King Fahd Palace. In an attempt to calm rising tensions, a reconciliation meeting was convened at the presidential palace with several senior Pastef officials in attendance.
According to witnesses, Sonko bluntly told the president, “Man maa tass sa coalition ci législatives yi la ko tass,” meaning, “I’m the one who made your coalition implode during the legislative elections.”
President Faye is said to have responded sharply. “I take note, but you know I know how to structure an organization. How could such a statement come out?”
The exchange reportedly left a deep impression on the president, who has since moved to tighten his control over the Diomaye President coalition, seeking to secure its strategic direction ahead of upcoming local elections and in preparation for a potential bid for a second term.
Public Statements That Escalated the Crisis
Relations deteriorated further when Sonko made public comments about the coalition during a political rally—remarks that, according to insiders, had never been discussed with the president.
“Sonko’s statements about the coalition at the rally were not the subject of any prior consultation with Diomaye,” a source close to the matter said.
Despite this, on 24 October 2025, during a Pastef Political Bureau meeting, Sonko declared, “Topato wuma coalition, man Pastef lay gérer,” meaning, “The coalition doesn’t interest me; it’s Pastef that I manage.”
Senior party figures, increasingly perplexed, note the irony: Sonko appears to be asserting dominance over a coalition he long neglected and which he himself has admitted to contributing to its internal collapse.
Two Camps, Two Diverging Political Projects
The breakdown has now produced two distinct political camps. President Diomaye Faye is maintaining and restructuring the Diomaye Président Coalition, which remains the executive’s key consultation framework and an essential electoral vehicle.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Sonko, backed by the overwhelming majority of Pastef, is steering the formation of a new coalition, APTE, viewed as a platform for his anticipated 2029 presidential ambitions.
These two trajectories, insiders say, appear increasingly incompatible despite repeated mediation attempts.
Religious and Political Leaders Step In
Efforts to settle the dispute have intensified this week. Veteran statesman Habib Sy, chairman of Senelec’s Board of Directors, cut short his Umra worshiping in the Muslim Holy Sites of Mecca to return to Dakar and intervene. He has reportedly held separate meetings with both Sonko and President Faye.
Renowned architect Pierre Goudiaby Atépa has also joined the mediation efforts. According to multiple sources, a preliminary breakthrough was achieved thanks to the involvement of Sonko’s mother, Serigne Cheikh Ibn Serigne Saliou Mbacké, and the eldest son of Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, the Khalife General of the Mourid Community.
Sources close to the presidency say President Faye has agreed to meet Sonko, but only if the prime minister commits to fully assuming his role as head of government, meaning major decisions must receive presidential approval and all adopted government policies must be implemented accordingly.
Sonko, reportedly distrustful of Atépa, has asked for time to consult with senior Pastef officials. His response is expected Saturday afternoon.
Calls for Responsibility as Tensions Worry Coalition Members
Within the ruling alliance, anxiety is growing. Serigne Modou Guèye, a member of the Diomaye Président Leadership Conference, issued a stark warning to both leaders:
“This situation does not honor us. Senegal is on the edge of a precipice. The people are exhausted. Our energy must be focused on addressing citizens’ concerns.”
As mediation continues, observers warn that the fragile truce may only delay a deeper political confrontation between Senegal’s two most powerful figures.
