Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegalese musician and cultural icon Ouza Diallo, father to Adiouza, has offered a candid assessment of the country’s new political leadership, praising the pan-Africanist vision of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko but warning of potential differences in their governing styles.
Speaking to L’Observateur, the veteran singer, known for his forthright opinions since the Senghor era, said he supported the Faye-Sonko duo for their bold discourse but noted what he views as a contrast between the two leaders.
“President Diomaye Faye is too pacifist, while Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko adopts a more radical approach,” he observed.
Despite these potential divergences, Ouza urged Senegalese citizens to give the new administration at least five years to lay the groundwork for meaningful change. “Revolutions are never easy. Change demands time, coherence, and a clear direction,” he said, citing Ghana under Jerry Rawlings, Rwanda, and China as examples of hard-fought national transformations.
The singer, who maintained a respectful distance from street protests during the Macky Sall years, stressed that success for the new government will hinge on reducing state spending, enforcing discipline, and making sacrifices.
He also highlighted positive signs of greater rigor in government, noting testimonies from staff at the Primature about a stronger work ethic and early morning presence.
On criticism of the regime, particularly from rap group Keur Gui’s Thiat in his latest track, Porozet, Ouza defended freedom of expression. “Critics should be met with arguments, not personal attacks,” he said.
Beyond politics, Ouza called for a sweeping cultural policy to strengthen the arts in Senegal. He proposed that the state annually select about 20 artists and allocate each a grant of 30 million CFA francs to develop sustainable cultural projects.
“Two million CFA is not even enough to produce a quality single,” he lamented, contrasting the situation with Europe, where artists benefited from state support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The culture sector cannot remain secondary,” he insisted. “Culture is the foundation of every society, every religion, and every nation.”
