Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – In Senegal’s political landscape, where the ruling Pastef party commands an overwhelming presence, a new voice of dissent is emerging with growing intensity. Thierno Alassane Sall, commonly known as “TAS,” is asserting himself as a formidable opposition figure, unafraid to confront Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s administration on unfulfilled promises and inconsistencies. Despite lacking an official party registration, his latest political maneuvers have put the ruling party in an uncomfortable position, exposing its contradictions.

A Bold Move Against the Amnesty Law

On February 26, 2025, the National Assembly’s Office rejected Thierno Alassane Sall’s bill seeking to repeal the controversial amnesty law of March 13, 2024. This law grants amnesty for offenses committed between February 2021 and February 2024 in the context of political demonstrations. Sall had filed his repeal proposal on February 18, arguing that it contradicted the government’s earlier promises of justice and accountability.

Although his initiative was dismissed on technical grounds—the Assembly’s Office claiming that its repeal “would aggravate public expenditure“—Pastef’s sharp reaction revealed its unease. The ruling party labeled Sall’s move as an “opportunistic and manipulative act” by a “living room opponent.” Yet, political analysts noted the irony: repealing the amnesty law had been a key electoral promise of Pastef itself. By taking the initiative, TAS forced the government to justify its reluctance to follow through.

Confronting Sonko in the Assembly

Thierno Alassane Sall’s criticism of the government extends beyond the amnesty law. During a parliamentary session on February 21, he directly challenged Prime Minister Sonko on the proposed 2025 budget, accusing it of being disconnected from Senegal’s economic realities.

“Are you unaware of the country’s economic and financial disaster when drafting the 2025 budget, or have you chosen to present projections unrelated to reality?” Sall pressed.

His pointed question visibly irritated Sonko, who retorted, “Mr. Sall, sometimes, you have to know how to applaud! You cannot just engage in free criticism.”

This exchange underscored Sall’s role as one of the few figures willing to confront the government head-on in a National Assembly dominated by Pastef loyalists.

Critique of Pastef’s Governance

In an interview with Jeune Afrique from his home in Dakar, Sall painted a grim picture of Pastef’s first months in power. He accused the government of operating “without a clear objective” and exacerbating the country’s economic decline. He particularly criticized the reduction in subsidies and social spending, arguing that it amounted to an austerity policy—an assertion that Sonko and his allies vehemently reject.

Sall also pointed to what he sees as the government’s hypocrisy regarding the amnesty law. “This law is a thorn in their side. They know the Senegalese people expect its repeal, but they are trying to avoid any personal repercussions,” he observed.

He reminded that when Pastef was in opposition, it had initially abstained from voting on the amnesty law before later opposing it in plenary. “At that time, they tried to exclude crimes committed by the Defense and Security Forces (SDFs). Now that they are in power, the SDFs serve them. They are visibly embarrassed,” he analyzed.

A Political Journey of Breaks and Disillusions

Thierno Alassane Sall’s trajectory is marked by moments of rupture and disillusionment. A former key member of Macky Sall’s Alliance for the Republic (APR), he left the government in 2017 over suspicions of corruption in oil and gas contracts. This principled stance earned him respect but also cost him politically.

He briefly aligned himself with Ousmane Sonko, another vocal critic of corruption, but their relationship soured before the 2019 presidential election. Since then, Sall has charted an independent course, distancing himself from both the ruling party and the fragmented traditional opposition.

As the founder of Réewum Ngor (Republic of Values), his political influence remains modest. He secured only 0.58% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election but managed to retain his parliamentary seat in the November 2024 legislative elections. Despite this, he laments the lack of cohesion among non-affiliated deputies, stating, “The non-registered group is heterogeneous. We share personal affinities, but not political unity.”

A Lone Fighter Against a Dominant Power

Sall acknowledges one major regret in his career: leaving his role as head of Senegal’s telecommunications regulatory authority (ARTP) to become a minister under Macky Sall. “As a minister, you are limited in your initiatives and spend too much time in meetings. At ARTP, I had more autonomy. And autonomy is important,” he reflected.

Despite facing an absolute majority government, Thierno Alassane Sall remains resolute in his opposition. His fearless critique of Pastef’s governance, coupled with his strategic political maneuvers, has made him a rising figure in Senegal’s opposition landscape. Whether his influence will continue to grow remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: his voice is becoming harder to ignore.