In a bold display of loyalty, Ndeye Rokhaya Thiam, the newly appointed Director-General of Senegal’s Council of Shipowners (COSEC), has openly declared her steadfast allegiance to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Her announcement arrives amid escalating political tensions between Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, casting a spotlight on shifting alliances within government institutions.
Leadership amid political uncertainty
Appointed to lead the COSEC in May 2024, replacing Abdoulaye Diop, Ndeye Rokhaya Thiam’s public stance on Sonko follows a pattern of recent debates surrounding the political affiliations of high-ranking officials across Senegalese institutions. Her remarks, shared on social media, reflect a broader climate of speculation about where key figures will align as the country navigates its evolving political landscape.
A premonition of loyalty
In her statement, Thiam recounted a private conversation in which an advisor urged her to maintain unshakable loyalty to Ousmane Sonko, regardless of future developments. The words, she said, were clear: “Politics is unpredictable—shifts can happen, even divisions. When that time comes, ensure you stand by Ousmane. He must always see you by his side.”
She closed her message with a statement that resonated powerfully in political circles: “Dear brother, you will recognize yourself. And yes, Ousmane will see me.”
Political currents in Senegal
The timing of Thiam’s declaration underscores the fragile balance of allegiances in Senegal’s current political environment. As debates intensify over the direction of the nation’s leadership, her unwavering support for Sonko adds another layer to the complex web of relationships shaping the country’s future.
