Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – A family political conflict involving Macky Sall’s younger brother Alieu Sall and his brother in-law, Mansour Faye, has broken out following the departure of Aliou Sall from the Alliance for the Republic (APR). Junior Sall’s exit from APR has further fueled speculation about his growing rift with his brother, Macky Sall, at a critical juncture for the Sall family as they navigate their way through the aftermath of Macky Sall’s presidency.

It all came to light when Aliou Sall, the former mayor of Guédiawaye, officially announced his departure from the Alliance for the Republic (APR), a decision made in the wake of his brother, former President Macky Sall, stepping down. Sall made the announcement during an appearance on Youssou Ndour’s television station, TFM, a week ago, signaling a new chapter in his political career.

Aliou Sall expressed his intent to support the current mayor of Guédiawaye, Ahmed Aïdara, while advising the new regime of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to prioritize peaceful and thoughtful governance. He emphasized the importance of engaging in dialogue with all key forces in the country and avoiding unnecessary tensions during their five-year mandate.

Reflecting on his political journey, Sall revealed his ongoing discussions with various political actors, including the Socialist Party and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who fell out with Macky Sall in the last weeks of his presidency. Despite these talks, he remains cautious about his next steps, opting to observe the political landscape before making any concrete decisions.

“I had to hold very in-depth discussions with the Socialist Party, as I did with our former presidential candidate, Amadou Ba. But to this day, my option is still to continue observing, because given what we went through in 2021 and 2023, it is necessary to take a break, especially to think about how to do politics,” said Aliou Sall.

However, Aliou Sall’s departure from APR has sparked controversy. Minister Mansour Faye, who is also the brother-in-law of former President Macky Sall, criticized the decision, labeling it a betrayal. Speaking to the Senegalese media, Faye expressed his disapproval of Aliou Sall’s timing and his choice to distance himself from the party.

“I followed the intervention of Aliou Sall in the media. This is an ill-timed intervention. Someone else can have this position, but I believe that Aliou Sall should not have this posture,” declared Mansour Faye.

In an interview with the Senegalese newspaper L’Observateur, Faye further admonished Aliou Sall, urging him to remain loyal to his brother and the APR. He emphasized the importance of family solidarity, particularly given the public attention Aliou Sall received due to his relationship with the former president.

“The president of the party is his brother. If Aliou Sall has been the subject of public attention in the past, it is simply because he is the brother of the president of the party, the President of the Republic, Macky Sall. For these reasons, being on the other side today, he must stand beside the president of the party, next to his big brother, to accompany him, and nothing else. What I’m saying may not be politics, but there are things that should not come from the inner circle. You must not betray your brother,” he said.

Aliou Sall’s decision marks a pivotal moment in Senegal’s political landscape, as observers keenly watch how this will influence the dynamics within APR and the broader political scene.