Minister of Urban Planning, Local Governments, and Territorial Development, Moussa Bala Fofana, issued a statement amid political tensions in PASTEF and ongoing debates about the loyalty of government officials retained in their roles.

In a public address, the minister clarified his stance following remarks by PASTEF president Ousmane Sonko, who questioned the alignment of certain executive members with the party’s political direction. The minister, serving his third term, first emphasized the importance of state continuity and expressed his gratitude to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Moussa Bala Fofana underscored that he had received renewed confidence from the head of state, describing it as an institutional honor. He admitted to having no prior relationship with Bassirou Diomaye Faye before the party’s rise to power but praised the administration’s focus on public policy implementation. He also highlighted his past collaboration with Ousmane Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, whom he described as a key figure in the party’s original political project. Despite current disagreements, the minister stressed that personal and political ties formed during this period remain intact.

Directly addressing reports of Ousmane Sonko’s comments from June 2, 2026, Moussa Bala Fofana dismissed any suggestion of a breach in commitment or partisan disobedience. He stated unequivocally, “Yes, I acted with full freedom and on a personal basis.” The minister clarified that his decision to remain in government was driven neither by career ambitions nor defiance but by a personal interpretation of his public responsibilities. He firmly denied any external political pressure influencing his choice.

Elaborating further, he framed his decision as a balance between party discipline and national responsibility. He explained that he chose to prioritize what he saw as the continuity of commitments made to citizens during the 2024 campaign. In his words, the choice was guided by conscience and duty: “Between partisan logic and my duty to the nation, I chose to continue the mission entrusted to me.” He positioned this stance within a broader commitment to public service, where the general interest must outweigh immediate political considerations.

The minister also highlighted the personal and political dimensions of his decision, acknowledging that his stance could generate tension within his former party. Yet he accepted potential criticism and misunderstanding as part of the process. He emphasized a deliberate rejection of popularity-seeking in favor of administrative continuity and the implementation of public policies, which he deemed critical at this juncture. Wrapping up, Moussa Bala Fofana framed the national situation in broader terms, asserting that “Senegal is greater than any of us.” He reaffirmed his loyalty to what he called “conscience and public service.”