As our Dakar correspondent Léa-Lisa Westerhoff reported, Senegal’s former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko held a press conference on June 2 to clarify why his party, the Pastef, opted out of joining the newly formed cabinet under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s leadership.

The announcement came just a day after President Faye unveiled the government’s ministerial lineup, leaving the Pastef without representation despite initial expectations.

Sonko outlined stark disagreements with the administration on core policy matters, including governance transparency, fiscal accountability, and renegotiation of key national contracts. He emphasized that the Pastef sought assurances from the president regarding debt management strategies, particularly concerning potential restructuring talks with the IMF, but found the responses unsatisfactory.

Sonko criticizes vague responses from president

During the press briefing, Sonko expressed frustration over what he described as “half-hearted replies” to critical questions. “The president and his finance minister confirmed they had made no commitments to the IMF regarding debt restructuring. On purchasing power, he suggested applying price transparency only where feasible for subsidized goods. As for the justice system, the president claimed Senegal boasts the world’s finest judiciary.”

Sonko also highlighted unresolved tensions over ministerial portfolios, stating that the Pastef would not endorse a government where it could not secure at least half of the cabinet positions.

He further criticized the legitimacy of the new administration, noting that only five appointees hailed from the Pastef ranks—though these individuals were not recognized as official party representatives.

Despite stepping back from governance, Sonko warned the president’s team against provoking the opposition, stating that the Pastef would only consider a no-confidence motion “if attacked first.”