The political rivalry between Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo and his predecessor, Ousmane Sonko, appears to be intensifying. Just hours after the Pastef leader’s press briefing in Touba, where he sharply criticized the government’s performance and announced plans to support multiple censure motions in the National Assembly, the head of government chose to issue a rebuttal via a message on the social platform X.

Without directly naming Ousmane Sonko, Al Aminou Lo’s social media post was widely interpreted as a direct response to the former Prime Minister’s statements. “To claim patriotism as the exclusive domain of one faction is, precisely, to betray it,” Lo asserted. This pointed remark followed Sonko’s address to his party activists at the inauguration of Pastef’s Touba headquarters. During this event, the former government chief claimed to have received intelligence regarding confidential statements allegedly made by Al Aminou Lo.

“Information I have received indicates that Al Aminou Lo reportedly declared, during a private meeting, that his primary focus is now improving the business climate. This suggests a desire to meet the expectations of Western economic partners and investors,” Ousmane Sonko stated. The Pastef president characterized this strategic direction as a form of “sabotage” against the political agenda he advocates. Consequently, he announced his intention to initiate several censure motions targeting the government led by Al Aminou Lo, with the stated aim of obstructing its policies and actions.