During the 48-hour Pastef event in Touba, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko openly challenged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, particularly over the management of the so-called “black box” fund. The head of the Pastef party framed his criticism around the alleged misuse of public resources, positioning his own movement as an advocate for ethical financing through grassroots contributions.
The gathering provided Sonko with a platform to reiterate his stance that Pastef operates independently of state funds, dismissing suggestions of financial dependence on government coffers. « Our party does not draw from the public treasury to fund its initiatives—such practices are forbidden in our principles, » he declared to a cheering crowd. His remarks directly addressed the ongoing dispute between the two political figures regarding the origin and transparency of the presidential reserve fund.
While avoiding explicit references to the head of state, Sonko implied that the undisclosed fund could be manipulated to strengthen political influence ahead of upcoming elections. He contrasted this with Pastef’s own revenue model, which relies exclusively on membership dues and voluntary donations from supporters. The party leader went further by dismissing criticisms of his party’s membership drive, labeling detractors as « embittered » figures. In a defiant tone, he used a Wolof proverb—« if there’s no death, there will be injury »—to suggest that his opponents would face consequences for underestimating Pastef’s growing influence.
