The political landscape in Senegal continues to fracture as internal divisions within the Pastef party deepen. During a high-profile appearance on TFM this past Monday, July 6, 2026, prominent political figure Aldiouma Sow launched a scathing critique of Ousmane Sonko, accusing the party leader of a dramatic transformation since assuming government responsibilities.
Aldiouma Sow, a key ally of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, alleged that Sonko’s true intentions remained concealed during the party’s opposition years. He argued that only after gaining power did Sonko’s ‘messianic’ tendencies surface—behaviors Sow claims contradict the foundational values of Pastef.
During the broadcast, Aldiouma Sow emphasized that party members had rallied behind a collective vision rather than a cult of personality. To him, Sonko’s evolution signals a betrayal of the party’s original spirit, pushing the movement into a political deadlock. He further warned that this shift inadvertently validates years of opposition criticisms against the ruling party.
The remarks follow weeks of Aldiouma Sow publicly distancing himself from Sonko while publicly endorsing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This public rift coincides with rising tensions between the head of state and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, who recently distanced himself from Pastef to establish his own political platform.
