Once a close ally of Ousmane Sonko, Lansana Gagny Sakho now serves as a prominent figure in Kiiraay, the party led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In a recent interview, he strongly criticized his former mentor, revealing the reasons behind his political shift while defending his commitment to institutional stability.

As Chairman of the APIX board, Sakho explained that his initial alignment with Sonko stemmed from admiration for the individuals behind the political project. After the change in leadership, he rejected an offer to lead the water and sanitation sector, choosing principle over position. « I refused to let political appointments overshadow my core values. This decision allowed me to disengage cleanly. From the start, I have always prioritized the Republic’s interests, » he stated.

Contrasting his stance with Sonko’s, Sakho accused the opposition leader of never truly embracing republican governance. He pointed to public remarks Sonko made while President Faye was abroad, criticizing the government’s authority—comments that allegedly caused significant discomfort for the Head of State.

For Sakho, the true measure of political commitment lies in strengthening state institutions and improving governance. While acknowledging challenges « on both sides, » he highlighted progress, particularly in judicial reforms, as tangible evidence of positive change.

He also addressed recent shifts within the Ministry of Justice, recalling that former Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne had publicly declared his independence from external influence. Sakho alleged that the minister’s removal aimed to install a more compliant successor to sway judicial decisions. « But those behind the move underestimated the magistracy’s integrity, » he asserted. « Magistrates are not puppets—real power dynamics differ vastly from opposition perceptions. »