The political landscape in Senegal is heating up as the CODES movement formally merges with Pastef, citing urgent threats to the Projet de transformation sociale led by Ousmane Sonko. In an official statement, CODES leadership emphasized that the movement’s core objectives—rooted in the revolutionary momentum of March 25, 2024—are under siege by political maneuvering aimed at sidelining its architects.
The communiqué, released by the organization’s Executive Board, sharply criticized the erosion of what it describes as the “true artisans of the patriotic revolution.” At the heart of the dispute, it alleges, is a deliberate attempt to undermine Ousmane Sonko, the figurehead of this transformative vision. The language mirrors Sonko’s recent rhetoric, particularly his emphasis on the “popular bloc” concept introduced during the Diamniadio congress, where he warned that revolutionary fervor must extend beyond seizing power to reshaping the state itself.
Call for unity and urgent mobilization
In response, CODES has issued a sweeping rallying cry, urging Senegal’s youth and citizens to unite behind Sonko to safeguard the Projet. The call extends to all democratic forces, demanding they “return by the hundreds, thousands, and millions” to the ranks of Pastef-Les Patriotes to secure the movement’s success. This push for cohesion comes as Sonko intensifies his nationwide mobilization, recently touring cities like Mbacké to rally local leaders ahead of the 2029 presidential race, stressing the need to resolve internal divisions.
The merger arrives at a pivotal moment, countering a recent trend of high-profile defections from Pastef to rival factions, a sign of the deepening political polarization gripping Senegal’s electoral landscape. While some cadres have abandoned the party, CODES’ decision to fully align with Pastef underscores the escalating stakes in preserving the movement’s revolutionary agenda.
