In a candid interview on national radio, Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr Abdourahmane Diouf, a founding member of the KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains party, delivered a stark assessment of the deepening rift within Pastef. Speaking on air, he pointed an accusing finger at the party’s leadership, particularly its figurehead Ousmane Sonko, accusing them of orchestrating a deliberate betrayal against President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The minister minced no words as he dissected the internal contradictions plaguing Pastef. According to him, the party’s actions have systematically undermined the president’s ability to govern, despite Faye’s unwavering commitment to his electoral promises. Dr Diouf emphasized that the president’s loyalty to the people has never wavered, even as his own party turned against him. « The president has remained steadfast in his principles, but Pastef’s leadership has chosen to isolate and sabotage him, rendering his mandate unworkable, » he declared.
Addressing former government colleagues who have distanced themselves from the administration, Dr Abdourahmane Diouf urged them to reflect on their choices. He reminded them that their departures were voluntary, not imposed, yet their absence has critically weakened the president’s parliamentary majority—a vital pillar for implementing his ambitious agenda. « They left by their own volition, stripping the government of the support it needs to deliver on its promises, » he noted.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the presidential term, the minister threw his full support behind President Faye, advocating for a second term to consolidate the administration’s reforms. His endorsement stems from a conviction that the current leadership holds the key to Senegal’s progress. However, he strongly criticized Pastef’s internal inconsistencies, highlighting how some within the party publicly challenge Sonko’s authority while simultaneously lecturing others on moral conduct—a contradiction he described as glaring and unsustainable.
Dr Diouf’s remarks underscore a growing divide within Senegal’s political landscape, with consequences that extend beyond party lines. As the debate over governance and accountability intensifies, his statements serve as a reminder of the fragile balance between loyalty and betrayal in the pursuit of national development.
