Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Converting a protest movement into a government party is a significant issue for the party that elected Bassirou Diomaye Faye. An intricate formula that also puts Ousmane Sonko’s leadership to the test. The ruling party, Pastef, appears to be grappling with tensions that highlight the challenging transition from being a protest movement to becoming a governing party.
This political organization, which rose to power fueled by militant enthusiasm, must now navigate the demands of public administration.
The recent episode involving the appointment of Aoua Bocar Ly to the National Audiovisual Regulatory Council (CNRA) underscores the challenges facing Pastef. As reported by Jeune Afrique, party activists quickly took to social media, resurfacing past statements by Ly critical of the party during Macky Sall’s presidency. In response to the backlash, Ousmane Sonko personally intervened, reminding members that “the time of the state is not the time of activists.”
This vigilant activism was also evident during the appointment of Samba Ndiaye as head of a national agency. Party President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had to publicly defend the decision, explaining: “We announced open calls for applications and did not limit ourselves to members of Pastef. […] Senegalese people trusted us because of our vision, and that vision includes all Senegalese.”
The magazine highlights that Pastef is undergoing profound transformation. The party continues to operate with a provisional political bureau, without a charter or internal regulations. The position of Secretary-General, held by Bassirou Diomaye Faye until his arrest in April 2022, is now temporarily filled by MP Ayib Daffé.
Ansoumana Sambou, a member of the National Secretariat for Communication, acknowledges these “growing pains” but defends them: “Since taking office, we have been considering how to govern while maintaining party activities, all while ensuring neutrality in public affairs.”
According to Jeune Afrique, Pastef relies on an impressive “shadow army” of over a thousand professionals, including academics and researchers, who continue to produce policy notes and recommendations for the president. This technical expertise contrasts with the image of a purely protest-driven party.
Ousmane Sonko remains a central figure within the organization. As Prime Minister and party leader, he wields significant influence. Ansoumana Sambou affirms, “The vision will progress as long as no one questions Ousmane Sonko’s leadership.” However, this dynamic raises questions about the executive duo’s balance of power. A presidential advisor cited by the magazine insists that Sonko “will never be a scapegoat or a lackey for the president.”
Jeune Afrique also highlights a remarkable feature of Pastef: its funding model. Electoral campaigns are financed directly by militants, particularly those in the diaspora. Events have become ticketed, with prices ranging “from 1,000 to 1 million CFA francs for attendance at Ousmane Sonko’s mega-rally at Dakar Arena.”
A party official quoted by the magazine encapsulates their vision for transformation: “Senegal has a history of party-state systems […] Under previous regimes, the state was merged with the party, which became merely an appendage and a means of subsistence. We believe, on the contrary, that the party should serve the state.”
However, this ambition faces practical challenges. Mamadou Oumar Sall, a militant since 2018, underscores the role of grassroots vigilance: “Our leader is not a demi-god who decides everything. […] It’s our duty to expose any violations of the party’s principles; that is also the role of the patriotic youth.”
Pastef finds itself at a crossroads, striving to reconcile its activist roots with the demands of governance while preserving its ideals of political and social transformation.
Source: Jeune Afrique
