Having witnessed the transition of power, he reveals turning down a strategic position to uphold his values.
Once a close ally of Ousmane Sonko and now a prominent figure in the Kiiraay party led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Lansana Gagny Sakho has leveled sharp criticism at his former mentor. Speaking on RFM Matin, the Chairman of the APIX board revisited his decision to distance himself from Sonko while reaffirming his commitment to Senegal’s republican institutions.
A former member of the Pastef movement, Sakho explained that his initial involvement stemmed from admiration for its founding figures. Following the political shift, he claims to have rejected an offer to head the water and sanitation sector, prioritizing principle over position. “I refused to place political appointments above my convictions,” he stated. “This stance allowed me to step away cleanly, as I had always prioritized the Republic from the outset.”
In stark contrast, Sakho accused Ousmane Sonko of “never embracing the Republic.” He accused Sonko of deepening divisions within the government through public statements, notably during the President’s official visits to the United States and China, where Sonko criticized the country’s perceived lack of authority—a move Sakho believes severely embarrassed the Head of State.
For Sakho, the true political choice lies in strengthening institutions and enhancing state efficiency. While acknowledging challenges on both sides, he highlighted progress in the justice sector as a key achievement.
Sakho also addressed recent changes at the Ministry of Justice, recalling former Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne’s assertion that no one could manipulate him. Sakho contended that the minister’s removal was intended to install a more compliant successor to influence magistrates. “They underestimated the judiciary’s independence,” he argued. “Magistrates are anything but puppets—the realities of power differ vastly from those perceived from the opposition bench.”
