By Alpha Jallow
Independent multimedia freelance journalist.
Ousmane Sonko’s recent public statement, in what appears to be an attempt to win back his political base, has reignited debates about the strength of his partnership with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This media appearance, far from being insignificant, highlights the complex dynamics within the duo, often summarized by the famous phrase: “Sonko is Diomaye, Diomaye is Sonko.” It is important to remember that this formula did not originate in the euphoria of the 2023 election campaign. It is the expression of a long-standing bond, forged in the halls of university, in union struggles, and in civic activism waged well before their rise to power. Their relationship, rooted in shared history and mutual respect, has always transcended personal ambitions.
A statement interpreted, overinterpreted, and exploited.
In a context where every word spoken by a political figure is dissected, commented on, and even distorted, Sonko’s declarations sparked a wave of contrasting reactions. Some saw them as a sign of disagreement, even the beginning of a break; others, as a simple fraternal reminder of political order. In truth, it would be hasty and unfair to see them as an attempt to delegitimize Diomaye or weaken his presidential authority. What is at stake here is not so much a personal quarrel as a warning about the forces that surround and influence the exercise of power. As the constitutional scholar Professor Oumar Dia brilliantly expressed: “Nothing can withstand power: neither friendship, nor kinship, nor party camaraderie, nor even faith.” This reflection should be the starting point for a clear-eyed analysis of the situation. Far from trials of intent or hasty judgments, it invites us to question the system itself, its capacity to alter human relationships, to distort initial commitments.
Power, Loyalty, and the Test of Reality:
Power, by its very nature, is a test. As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “Almost any man can cope with adversity. But if you want to test his character, give him power or money.” This remark is remarkably relevant in the current context of Senegal.
Faced with the realities of the state, the constraints of governance, and internal and external pressures, it is normal for divergences to emerge in approaches, methods, and even priorities. Thus, Ousmane Sonko’s intervention could also be interpreted as the expression of a sincere concern, that of a man deeply committed to the ideals of justice, ethics, and transparency, and who perhaps senses certain deviations or inertia in the implementation of the political project they are jointly pursuing.
Two figures, two roles, one shared responsibility.
It is crucial here to distinguish between Bassirou Diomaye Faye the man and the institution he embodies. The President of the Republic, as Head of State, can no longer be the partisan activist he once was. He is now the guarantor of national unity, the representative of all Senegalese citizens, beyond divisions and affiliations.
It is in this transformation of the role that misunderstandings can arise. While Sonko retains a freedom of expression and criticism befitting his status as a political leader, Diomaye is bound by the demands of the presidential role: discretion, neutrality, and balance. It is at this level that the “demon of detail” resides, which the regime’s adversaries could exploit to sow doubt, discord, and weaken this historic alliance.
The Risks of Division, the Urgency of Clarity:
It would be a grave mistake for Diomaye to succumb to opportunistic flattery or to allow himself to be trapped in a sterile opposition between “him and Sonko.” Those who try to pit the two men against each other with binary rhetoric—”you are good, he is extreme,” or vice versa—are pursuing only one objective: to weaken their shared project. It is therefore imperative to understand that Sonko owes him nothing, neither in personal gain nor in blind loyalty. The bond that unites them must be preserved not through debt or gratitude, but through the convergence of the ideals they have championed together: systemic change, a break with old practices, accountability, transparency in resource management, and justice for the martyrs. Diomaye, as President, must bear in mind that his Prime Minister remains, for many Senegalese, the moral guarantor of the project. He is the driving force behind this collective ambition. His rigor, his patriotism, his dedication to work are not anecdotal qualities: they constitute a foundation of trust that it would be dangerous to neglect.
Holding the Course for Change
Ultimately, the cohesion of the Sonko-Diomaye partnership is a prerequisite for the success of the project to transform Senegal. Any rupture, however subtle, would be a boon for the enemies of progress, for the proponents of the old system who are just waiting for a misstep to reposition themselves. We therefore call for clear-sightedness, foresight, and political elegance. We must stay focused on the true objective: systemic, lasting change centered on justice, inclusion, and integrity. This fight is not personal; it is historic.
