Africa-Press. The Pastef party has reelected Osman Sonko as its leader by acclamation during a conference held on Saturday evening in the suburbs of the capital, Dakar. This move reflects his continued dominance over the party and his readiness to lead his political project toward the presidential elections scheduled for 2029.
Sonko received the votes of all participating delegates at the conference, totaling 589 delegates, securing a new six-year term. He has been a pivotal figure in the party since its establishment in 2014 and is viewed by his supporters as the natural candidate to lead the party in the upcoming presidential election.
Several party supporters confirmed during the conference their commitment to nominate Sonko for the presidency in 2029, noting that the goal the party aimed to achieve in the 2024 elections remains intact, which is to reach power.
The conference comes amid a widening political gap between Pastef and Senegalese President Macky Sall, who still retains honorary membership in the party despite the deteriorating relationship between the two sides.
Some party leaders believe that Pastef is now following an independent political path under Sonko’s leadership, following what they describe as the end of the phase of consensus with the current president.
The conference also discussed the future of the ministers affiliated with the party who remained in the new government despite Sonko’s call for a boycott. However, no official decision has been made regarding their expulsion or any organizational measures against them.
Deputy Bakary Diedhiou stated that the ministers who chose to stay in the government made their decision individually, emphasizing that they no longer represent the party politically. Sonko is expected to conclude the conference with a large public inauguration ceremony, where thousands of supporters are anticipated to welcome him in the Diamniadio square, seen as an early launch for preparations for the upcoming presidential elections.
