Upon his release from prison, Ousmane Sonko addressed Amadou Bâ, the Benno candidate nominated by President Macky Sall, in his first speech. He was accused by Ousmane Sonko of being a doubtful, dishonest individual who masterminded multiple efforts at corruption.

Sonko claimed that Bâ was not fit to lead the country and vowed to expose all of his wrongdoings to the public. He called on the people of Senegal to reject Bâ and the current government, urging them to stand up against corruption and injustice. Sonko’s passionate speech marked the beginning of a fierce political battle leading up to the upcoming election.

Sonko said, “I would like to add that President Macky Sall had a candidate who was able to control the state through bags under the table. The president only realized, much later, that he carried the power with him. He’s lost interest in him. It’s a divorce,” the Pastef president declared in closing. “We are aware of the corruption rumor that has tarnished the country,” Ousmane Sonko stated in reference to the purported audio recordings that purportedly contained a conversation between Amadou Bâ and judges of the Constitutional Council. We got and listened to the audio, just like everyone else. However, this is only the start of the evidence,” Ousmane Sonko recalled.

The choice of Bassirou Diomaye Faye to represent him

The former Pastef leader gave an explanation for his decision to support Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the March 24, 2024, presidential contest.

“I am aware of the reasons behind my choice of Diomaye. It is true that “Sonko Moy Diomaye” is a slogan. When word got out of our release from prison, we were all together. I gave him instructions to pack his stuff and comb his beard after that,” he said.

“My person is not relevant anymore. Diomaye, Habib Sy, and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye have all passed; thus, I am unable to run. There have been a lot of events, but there won’t be a war this election. The former Pastef leader said, “There will be no retaliation, only justice.”

Ousmane Sonko confirms that talks happened with the government.

Was the Pastef chief negotiating with the authorities at Cap Manuel? Ousmane Sonko, the principal party engaged, provided clarification on this matter. He said that although there had been talks, there had not been a deal, as some had claimed.

“First, their emissaries approached me to discuss delaying the election. I flatly refused to accept this. They told me that the election had to be rescheduled under the guise of not being able to happen without me and another candidate. “I responded that this was insufficient to warrant the delay,” he disclosed.

Furthermore, in the spirit of openness, the now-former Cap Manuel inmate disclosed the main points of these discussions.

Four main topics were covered in the talks, one of which was delaying the February 25, 2024, presidential election. In that regard, I was unambiguous. I told them that the rejection of my candidacy could in no way justify the postponement of the election.”

“I made every effort to avoid having to postpone the elections. In order to stop him from using the Mame Mbaye Niang case as a pretext, I even urged my lawyers not to file a move for reconsideration in that case. Swearing that “there was no barter” and “no counterparty was given to anyone,” he stated, “I called Habib Sy to ask him to tell his former friends from the PDS not to let themselves be manipulated by President Sall to postpone the elections.”

Amnesty Laws and Retaliation

The head of the opposition, who was granted release under President Macky Sall’s amnesty bill, announced that he strongly disagreed with this “liberticidal” measure. “The amnesty was turned down by the Yewwi deputies, who I asked to invite the Minister of Justice to clearly define the scope of this bill,” acknowledged the leader of the Pastef.

On the evening of March 24, Ousmane Sonko, the former Pastef leader, made it apparent what obstacles his candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, would face in the event of an election. He says it’s not the time for retaliation. “Justice shall prevail, but there shall be no retaliation. We have our work cut out for us. We’re running out of time to pursue witches. But let me be clear: Sonko made this quite obvious at the news conference he co-hosted on Friday, March 15, alongside his candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Transparent, democratic, and free elections

Ousmane Sonko sent a message to President Macky Sall, inviting him to hold a free and transparent election. “If Macky Sall wants to render one last service to this country, it is to organize a fair, transparent election. It is the only service he can render to this country,” he said.

Bowing to the memory of the victims, Ousmane Sonko promises to shed light transparently on the blind repression that cost the lives of several Senegalese.