During a Saturday gathering in Bambey, the leader of Senegal’s Parti Africain de Service au Texte et à l’Équité des Forces (PASTEF), Ousmane Sonko, urged his supporters to remain vigilant against potential provocations aimed at destabilizing the movement. He emphasized that these disturbances could take various forms, some directly targeting his personal leadership.
Sonko cautioned that certain actors might attempt to manipulate state institutions to entrap him, sparking tensions among his followers and across the nation. « They will resort to every kind of provocation, » he declared. « Some will even be directed at me personally. They’ll try to weaponize government agencies against me. »
The PASTEF president accused opponents of believing that weakening him would weaken the entire party and plunge Senegal into chaos. « Their strategy is clear, » he stated. « If they want to shake PASTEF members or the country, they’ll come after me. That’s their calculation. »
In his speech, Sonko also highlighted what he described as growing restrictions on party activities, particularly membership card distribution events. Despite these challenges, he reassured the public that Senegal would avoid a repeat of the recent political turmoil. « This country will not relive the dark chapter it just endured as long as I am here, » he vowed. « Manipulation will not succeed. »
The remarks were made amid shifting political dynamics, following the formation of a new ruling party by Bassirou Diomaye Faye and ongoing discussions about the future of Senegal’s political landscape.
