In a detailed public statement, Aldiouma Sow, a prominent member of the National Political Bureau (BPN) of Pastef les Patriotes, has stepped forward to support party officials who accepted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s invitation. This move comes amidst a visible fracture between the Head of State and his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, which is currently reshaping the Senegalese political landscape.
According to Sow, the political dialogue initiated by President Faye is not a mere tactical maneuver but a fundamental and unwavering belief. He noted that this commitment was evident in the May 2025 call for national dialogue. Sow emphasized that the President dedicated significant time to these discussions even when no constitutional or moral obligation forced him to do so, proving that dialogue is a core principle for the leader rather than a situational tool.
The myth of the Cap Manuel secret pact
Sow took the opportunity to firmly debunk rumors regarding a clandestine agreement allegedly made at Cap Manuel prison before Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s release. He categorically stated that no such secret pact was ever concluded by the candidate. This statement directly contradicts recent claims by Ousmane Sonko, who asserted that a deal existed between himself and the current President. Instead, Sow suggested that it was other candidates within the prison walls who reportedly swore on the holy Quran to transfer power to Sonko upon winning the presidency.
Critique of destructive messianism
The BPN member further criticized what he describes as a “destructive messianism” that he believes has threatened the party’s integrity since 2022. He pointed to past legislative and local elections where long-standing Pastef cadres were allegedly sidelined in favor of recent allies. Sow warned that if this pattern continues in future elections, it would lead to the political erasure of the party’s grassroots base, urging local coordinators to resist this top-down pressure.
Addressing government ministers who have remained in their positions despite internal party friction, Sow offered strong words of encouragement. He told them to take pride in their choice, asserting that while they might be removed from digital communication groups or suspended from party ranks, their commitment to the national patriotic project remains untouchable. No political maneuver can strip them of their role in the country’s development, he argued.
He ended his address by reaching out to those still undecided, advising them to move away from the current leadership dynamic before the situation worsens. Sow suggested that it is not too late for party members, deputies, and cadres to reconsider their stance and avoid the pitfalls of internal division.
