Apparently, former President Macky Sall of Senegal was too fearful of Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy—that was why the latter’s political party, Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité meaning African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) was abrogated on July 31st, 2023 by the Sall administration.
President Macky Sall didn’t rest until Ousmane Sonko was barred from participating in the country’s 2024 presidential election. Is there any politician who will not be afraid of a corruption fighter like Sonko? I certainly understand Sall’s insecurity.
But former President Macky Sall’s great mistake is allowing Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye who has been Ousmane Sonko’s protégé for nearly two decades to become the President. When it became clear for Sonko that he was not going to contest the presidency—he swiftly endorsed Diomaye Faye.
Faye who has the same ideology as Sonko adopted the campaign slogan “Diomaye Mooy Ousmane” meaning “Diomaye Is Ousmane” in Wolof (the most widely spoken language in Senegal). Diomaye Faye promised to fight corruption ruthlessly, to implement monetary reform that will allow Senegal to have its own currency, and to create jobs for the youth.
Now that the 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye has defeated the President Macky Sall’s favourite candidate, Amadou Ba to become the President—-I hope he proves to the Senegalese people that Diomaye Mooy Ousmane.
Malam MB is a Senior Advocate of the Commoners (SAC)
