Political clash in Saint-Louis as pastef leader fires back at abba mbaye

In Saint-Louis, a sharp political exchange has unfolded as Modou Mbène Guèye, the local coordinator of the Pastef movement, delivered a pointed response to Abba Mbaye’s recent criticisms of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The debate, which aired on a regional news platform, centered on accusations of political betrayal and shifting alliances.

From rivals to allies: a heated exchange

Abba Mbaye, a former deputy and a prominent figure in the Taxawu Sénégal movement, had criticized what he described as a pattern of political sacrifice among leaders—first with Ousmane Sonko, who allegedly abandoned allies to secure his parliamentary majority, and now with President Faye’s attempts to consolidate support through new alliances. Mbaye went so far as to compare the strategies of both leaders, suggesting a troubling continuity in their political maneuvers.

Modou Mbène Guèye, however, dismissed these claims outright. In a statement loaded with frustration, he accused Mbaye of lacking political principles, convictions, and ethics, labeling him as ungrateful for his past criticism of the current administration. « Abba Mbaye has no principles, no convictions, and no ethics—only ingratitude defines him, » Guèye declared, pointing to inconsistencies in Mbaye’s own political journey.

Contradictions and political history

Guèye dug into Mbaye’s past statements to highlight what he saw as hypocrisy. Elected in 2022 under the Yewwi Askan Wi banner, Mbaye had publicly declared after his win that he owed no debt to anyone—a stance Guèye argued clashed with earlier remarks during the legislative campaign, where Mbaye allegedly accused Ousmane Sonko of obstructing his path to the mayoralty. The Pastef coordinator also recalled Mbaye’s controversial comments about the late socialist leader Ousmane Tanor Dieng, as well as his earlier opposition to the formation of the 14th legislature.

Saint-Louis stands with Pastef

Despite the political turbulence, Guèye reaffirmed Saint-Louis’s unwavering loyalty to the Pastef movement. He emphasized the momentum building in the region, citing a recent membership drive that distributed 3,750 cards in the commune—a campaign set to resume this Saturday, August 8th. The message was clear: any attempt by Abba Mbaye to sway local support through alliances with the presidential camp would fail in Saint-Louis.