Sonko Sweeps 589 Votes to Tighten Party Grip as Rift With Senegal's President Deepens
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Sonko Sweeps 589 Votes to Tighten Party Grip as Rift With Senegal's President Deepens
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Summary
Ousmane Sonko won all 589 delegate votes to retain leadership of Senegal’s ruling Pastef party, a result that strengthened his hand after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye removed him as prime minister two weeks ago.
The unanimous vote capped months of infighting between the two former allies, who rose to power together in 2024 after Sonko was barred from the presidential race and Faye won instead.
Sonko, 51, says Faye, 46, has sidelined the party and drifted from promises to fight corruption and challenge elites; Faye has accused Pastef of building a cult of personality around its founder.
Their split also reflects disagreement over how to handle Senegal’s heavy debt load, but the struggle increasingly centers on who will carry the movement into the 2029 presidential election, when Sonko is expected to be eligible again.