The Pastef party has decided to go alone in the early elections on November 17. Ousmane Sonko, president of the said party, told the members of the “Diomaye President” Coalition. This will probably bury the ruling coalition. If the allies want to have MPs, they will have to present their own lists. 

To be an MP of the presidential movement, you will have to be a member of the Pastef party. In other words, the “Patriots” have chosen to go it alone. And the allies? They will have to find solutions. Ousmane Sonko clearly told his fellow party and movement leaders of the ruling coalition during a meeting of the “Diomaye President” Leaders Conference this Saturday.

Read the column – Sonko-Diomaye: the strategy of chaos

According to Lawyer Moussa Diop, who denounced « a lack of consideration for allies », Sonko would have sounded the death knell of the « Diomaye President » Coalition. It « is outdated by its object », maintained Lawyer Diop, reporting Sonko’s words. To this end, the leader of the And gor yi party announced that he would present his own lists. If for the moment, Moussa Diop’s position is known, the other allies have not yet positioned themselves. Indeed, Dr Abdourahmane Diouf, Mary Teuw Niane and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye have remained silent. Will they prefer to keep their share of the cake by giving up presenting a list or will they assume their political role by presenting candidates for the National Assembly? While we wait to see more clearly, Guy Marius Sagna will have to buy a Pastef party membership card if he wants to win Ziguinchor. Indeed, according to the latest news, Guy is an ally. He is a member of Frapp.

But given his proximity to the former mayor of Ziguinchor, we can assume that he will be the exception that will confirm the rule. It should be remembered that these legislative elections will be a test for the Pastef party. Indeed, the « Patriots » have always participated in elections with a coalition. These legislative elections will allow us to really know their capabilities, even if the fact of being in power makes the result bias.

The process is underway for the Legislative elections of November 17

In a press release, the “Diomaye President” coalition said it accepted the decision taken by Ousmane Sonko to take part in the early legislative elections under the banner of the Pastef party.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH