Once a close ally of Ousmane Sonko, Lansana Gagny Sakho now serves as a prominent figure within Kiiraay, the party backing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. In a candid television appearance, he openly criticized his former mentor, revealing the motivations behind his political shift while emphasizing his commitment to Senegal’s republican institutions.

Sakho explained that his initial alignment with Sonko’s movement stemmed from admiration for its leadership figures. However, after the change in government, he declined a high-profile appointment to lead the water and sanitation sector, prioritizing his core values over political favors. “I refused to compromise my principles for a position. This decision made my departure from the movement straightforward,” he stated. “From the outset, I made my choice for the Republic.”

In stark contrast, Sakho accused Sonko of consistently rejecting the foundational principles of the nation. He pointed to public statements made by Sonko during President Faye’s official visits to the United States and China, where Sonko publicly questioned the government’s authority—remarks that Sakho claimed caused significant embarrassment to the Head of State.

For Sakho, genuine political commitment means strengthening state institutions and enhancing governance. While acknowledging challenges faced by both sides, he highlighted notable progress in the justice sector. He also addressed recent changes at the Ministry of Justice, recalling that the former Minister, Ousmane Diagne, had declared before Parliament that no one could manipulate him. Sakho alleged that the minister’s removal was an attempt to install a more compliant figure who could influence magistrates. “They underestimated the judiciary’s independence,” he asserted. “Magistrates are not puppets, and the realities of power differ greatly from opposition perspectives.”