Ousmane Sonko’s evolving political discourse: from confrontation to conciliation

Since stepping down from the Prime Minister’s office, Ousmane Sonko has markedly refined his public communication. Adopting a more deliberate, nuanced, and less confrontational stance, the Pastef leader is now embracing the role of a peacemaker, seemingly aiming to distance himself from his former combative image.

“Pastef has matured as a party.” This declaration by Ousmane Sonko a few days prior in Diamniadio, during the party’s congress, signaled a new direction. He urged his often-fiery and assertive militants to reconsider their conduct in the public sphere. “We must rethink our manner of speaking, as we are observed by everyone, including religious leaders and family patriarchs… Taunts, insults, and derogatory remarks do not serve our cause,” he emphasized to an approving crowd. Conscious of the need to lead by example, the former Prime Minister has visibly adopted a more measured approach in his recent public appearances. A political analyst, Sidy Diop, pondered on his social media whether the Pastef president was undergoing a profound transformation, asking, “Does Ousmane Sonko’s interview with international broadcasters herald a metamorphosis?”

According to the analyst, the former Prime Minister did more than merely defend his record or comment on his separation from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. “He primarily outlined the contours of a new political persona. A man who now intends to wield power differently, from the parliamentary rostrum, transforming a political setback into a fresh launchpad,” the observer noted, highlighting a key shift in African politics English.

Typically known for his aggressive rhetoric, Ousmane Sonko has significantly altered his discourse since departing the executive branch. The analyst posed pertinent questions: “Is the man of mass rallies evolving into a figure of equilibrium? Is the orator gradually transforming into an arbiter? Is this shift a sign of political maturation or simply a tactical phase on the road to 2029?” The answers, as the analyst suggested, largely lie in the future of Senegal’s political landscape.

One aspect, however, remains evident: the Pastef leader has not always been a paragon of discursive consistency. He has often demonstrated the capacity to articulate one position in the morning and contradict it by evening, adapting his message to the immediate objective and target audience. Recently, during an interview with foreign media, he appeared remarkably composed and deliberate, carefully weighing each word. While usually decisive and categorical on issues like debt restructuring, he adopted a much more nuanced tone. When questioned about his stance should the executive decide to restructure the national debt, he retorted: “Our positions are not absolutely rigid. We will examine the situation with lucidity.”

Contradictions and nuances in the discourse

The critical factor, he asserted, is what specific proposals are put forth. “We never desired a reckless restructuring. As Prime Minister, I consistently opposed it because the conditions did not warrant it… As the outgoing Prime Minister, I recognize we are experiencing a unique period of tension. We will assess, we are not here to obstruct. However, if solutions do not serve Senegal’s best interests, we will not accept them,” he added, touching upon vital African economy news. When the interviewer reminded him of his previous calls for debt cancellation, Sonko initially backpedaled before becoming somewhat muddled in his explanations. “You refer to odious debt. I used that term once or twice. It involves an entire procedure.” He continued with less clarity: “I did not possess all the levers. When I spoke on certain occasions, it was as a party leader expressing an opinion. Do not forget that I was merely Prime Minister, and the powers of the Prime Minister are extremely limited in this country.” Asked if he had discussed this with the President, he replied: “We never discussed it. We were always in agreement regarding the debt, right up to our last conversation. He reaffirmed that the position has not changed.” Then, he reverted, seemingly to reaffirm his stance on odious debt.

“This debt is indeed partly odious. It requires political courage to advance this debate. As a politician, I have stated this repeatedly. I hope the current executive will assume its responsibilities in this regard and engage in discussions for the cancellation of a portion of the debt…” The interviewer again interrupted him, asking why he had not acted on this as Prime Minister. Sonko’s response was brief and unconvincing: “It was proposed, it was proposed.” It is noteworthy that the last time Ousmane Sonko publicly addressed odious debt was during his appearance before the National Assembly on May 22, during a current affairs session. At that point, he was speaking in his capacity as Prime Minister, not as a party leader, highlighting a recurring ambiguity in his communication.

Furthermore, for what may be the first time, the President of the National Assembly spoke of “reckless restructuring,” a departure from his usual categorical rejection of any restructuring proposals. What prompted this change? Is the leader concealing his true intentions? The question resonates within pan-African journalism circles. On the sensitive issue of homosexuality, the President of the National Assembly presented a more precise stance. While affirming his positions, he reiterated facts he had often seemed to overlook. The former Prime Minister recalled that the criminalization of homosexuality has existed since the Senghor era and that arrests occurred before Pastef’s rise. More significantly, Ousmane justified his current position with arguments that appeared to contradict his earlier public statements. Responding to journalists, he declared: “Here, arrests occurred before the vote on the toughening law. It stemmed from two factors: the practice of homosexuality coupled with the voluntary transmission of HIV. Western media often seems to obscure this second, extremely crucial aspect.” However, just days earlier in the Assembly, he recounted discussions with one of his ministers in which he appeared to fully endorse the crackdown. “The other day, I spoke with one of my ministers. He said: yes, the goal is to break the chain of HIV transmission. I told him no. The primary objective is to put an end to the proliferation of the phenomenon,” he had fumed, remarks widely seized upon by his political adversaries.

The apostle of peace

In another vein, when discussing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Pastef leader carefully avoided incendiary declarations, a consistent pattern recently. He even rejected the term “betrayal,” deeming it a matter of personal affection and morality. Sonko now seeks to embody political correctness. He also dismissed the notion of a personal dispute between himself and the Head of State, characterizing their differences as purely political.

Ousmane had already laid the groundwork for this shift in trajectory and communication strategy in Diamniadio. For him, Pastef, now a mature party, must exemplify excellence in all aspects. “Pastef is a party of ideas, a party of science, a party of programs… Demonstrate that you are a well-educated youth, an intellectual youth, an intelligent youth, a civic-minded youth. Do not succumb to provocation. The only strategy left for them is to try to replicate what transpired between 2021 and 2024…” According to Ousmane Sonko, the opposing camp, lacking legitimacy, merely wishes to push them into street protests, thereby portraying them as a belligerent, conflict-prone party. “Do not fall into that trap,” he cautioned, a message resonating across Africa news.