With the inaugural ordinary congress of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF) drawing near on Saturday, June 6, 2026, the party’s Secretary-General, Ousmane Sonko, has released an extensive statement. This publication meticulously chronicles the movement’s journey and articulates the ambitious objectives for the upcoming significant gathering.
In his discourse, the former Prime Minister adopts a dual stance: that of the founder, recalling the party’s humble beginnings in 2014, established “without financial means” or “influential connections,” and that of the astute strategist, who addresses the crucial question of governance post-electoral victory. He emphasizes, “History teaches that political transformations can be undermined if they lack a clear doctrine, robust organization, or a long-term strategy.”
Sonko’s tribune traces a compelling narrative arc, from the widespread popular mobilizations spanning 2021-2024 – which he describes as “one of the most intense periods in Senegal’s recent history” – leading up to the June 2026 congress. He envisions this event as the pivotal moment marking PASTEF’s evolution “from a rupture movement to a fully organized party.” Delegates representing national sections and the diaspora will be tasked with endorsing an ideological charter, a strategic orientation document, comprehensive party theses, and a general resolution.
Running as a central theme throughout the text, the concept of sovereignty is defined by Sonko not merely as a slogan, but as “a method of governance.” This encompasses vital areas such as natural resources management, budgetary decisions, agricultural policy, the educational system, and Senegal’s standing on the global stage. He further integrates a cultural dimension, advocating for the promotion of national languages, a re-engagement with historical narratives, mastery of modern technologies, and a profound pan-African ambition: to seamlessly integrate national sovereignty with continent-wide economic and scientific collaboration.
Released amidst prevailing tensions within the executive branch and his own exclusion from the government, Sonko’s statement also serves as a clear signal. The founder of PASTEF intends to assert his influence over the party’s ideological direction, irrespective of institutional fluctuations or challenges.
