Dakar — In a bold defense of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Minister Yankhoba Diémé has sharply criticized former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, accusing him of orchestrating a deliberate campaign of victimization to undermine the current administration.
a calculated strategy to distort public perception
Speaking to Seneweb, Minister Diémé framed Sonko’s recent rhetoric as a deliberate ploy to portray himself as a victim while shifting blame onto President Faye. “This narcissistic posture, compounded by a series of missteps, risks inverting the roles of victim and perpetrator in the public eye,” he asserted. The minister argued that Sonko’s tactics are designed to erode confidence in the government by fostering a narrative of persecution.
indemnification delays: who bears responsibility?
Addressing the delayed payments to former detainees, Diémé dismissed claims that President Faye was responsible for the holdup. “The president issued clear directives during a cabinet meeting, instructing the Prime Minister and the Minister for Family Affairs to expedite the process,” he stated. The minister also challenged the framing of Ousmane Sonko’s decision to donate his four-million-CFA salary to victims, arguing that such gestures cannot absolve the state of its obligations in this matter.
financial mismanagement under scrutiny
Diémé raised eyebrows by revealing that the Prime Minister’s office held 1.77 billion CFA francs in political funds—funds that could have been used to compensate victims much earlier. “It was only upon reviewing parliamentary records that we discovered this staggering amount,” he explained, citing financial simulations to underscore the missed opportunities for swift redress.
constitutional reform: a betrayal of dialogue
The minister also weighed in on the recent constitutional amendments, condemning what he described as a parliamentary sleight of hand. “The president called for inclusive dialogue, yet certain actors exploited the process, twisting its intent,” Diémé remarked. He stopped short of naming names but implied that political opponents had hijacked the reform agenda.
macky sall’s presence: a matter of legal procedure
On the controversy surrounding former President Macky Sall’s return to Senegal, Diémé defended the government’s stance, emphasizing that Bassirou Diomaye Faye was acting within his constitutional rights. “The president is merely fulfilling his duties. Macky Sall enjoys no judicial immunity, nor is he subject to any pending charges,” he clarified. The minister cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric, noting that only lawmakers can initiate high treason proceedings under Senegalese law. “Accusing individuals without evidence and then portraying oneself as a champion of justice is both reckless and unconstitutional,” he warned.
In closing, Diémé left the door open for reconciliation, stating that if Macky Sall were to provide clarity on certain issues, a respectful exchange with President Faye would be entirely plausible within the bounds of republican principles.
