During an appearance on a national morning show, Lansana Gagny Sakho, Chairman of the Board of the APIX, clarified his decision to distance himself from Ousmane Sonko while firmly endorsing the country’s republican institutions. He shared that his initial alignment with the Pastef movement stemmed from admiration for its key figures, not necessarily its political platform. Following the transition of power, he recounted turning down a high-profile government role in the water and sanitation sector to uphold his principles. “I prioritized my values over positions of power,” he stated. “That decision made my departure seamless, and from the outset, I chose the Republic.”
Contrasting his stance with Sonko’s, Sakho asserted that the opposition leader “has never embraced the Republic.” He criticized Sonko’s public remarks during the President’s official visits abroad—particularly when the latter questioned the government’s authority while the Head of State was in the United States and China. These comments, in Sakho’s view, undermined national cohesion and embarrassed the administration.
For the former Pastef ally, political responsibility means safeguarding institutions and enhancing governance. While acknowledging past challenges on both sides, he highlighted significant progress, especially within the judiciary. Reflecting on recent shifts in the Justice Ministry, he recalled the former Minister Ousmane Diagne’s bold assertion before Parliament that no one could manipulate him. Sakho suggested that Diagne’s removal was an attempt to install a more pliable figure, only to realize that judges operate independently. “Magistrates are not puppets,” he declared, emphasizing that power dynamics differ vastly from opposition perspectives.
Sakho has repeatedly voiced his backing for President Diomaye Faye’s policies, emphasizing the continuity of the state and institutional stability. His latest remarks coincide with a wave of resignations within Pastef, as several party members pivot toward the ruling camp ahead of the launch of the new Kiiraay party.