In a dramatic revelation, Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Pastef movement, has sworn under oath that a formal political agreement was struck with President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye prior to the 2024 presidential election—while he was detained at Cap Manuel prison.
Speaking to journalists, Sonko described the encounter as the « Cap Manuel protocol », a pivotal moment that allegedly cemented their alliance during a period of intense political uncertainty. The discussion, he claims, took place within his prison cell, as both men navigated the fallout of a potential election postponement and the future of their political movement.
The former PM recounted that Bassirou Diomaye Faye visited him under highly unusual circumstances, leading to a private conversation about the movement’s strategy. Sonko asserted that he firmly opposed any delay to the vote, insisting instead that their chosen candidate—Bassirou Diomaye Faye—should lead the campaign.
« I told him: I’ve already chosen you. Once we’re free, we’ll campaign together, win these elections, and govern. In 2029, we’ll return to normalcy. »
To underscore the gravity of his claims, Sonko invoked a solemn oath, swearing on the Quran and before God that every detail of the discussion was truthful. « I swear it before the Almighty, the protocol of Cap Manuel is real, » he declared.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s agreement to structural reforms
According to Sonko, the future president agreed to the terms, framing his mandate as a period of challenging reforms. « He told me: This will be a term of difficult reforms. I’ll take responsibility, and you’ll have a clear path ahead, » Sonko recounted.
The Pastef leader also alleged that he had suggested including witnesses to formalize the agreement, but Bassirou Diomaye Faye declined, citing their unshakable trust. Sonko further claimed that the president went so far as to invoke familial bonds, warning that he would answer to Sonko’s namesake son if he ever betrayed their political pact.
2029 presidential ambitions and shifting alliances
Sonko revealed that the future of the 2029 election was also addressed during the meeting. He stated that he had made it clear to Bassirou Diomaye Faye that their continued collaboration hinged on the president’s adherence to their shared commitments.
« I told him that if he stayed true to this path, I would back his candidacy in 2029. Otherwise, I would run myself, » Sonko asserted. He added that Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s response was unequivocal: « He told me he would be my campaign director. »
These explosive claims come at a time of escalating tensions between the two former allies, reigniting scrutiny over the pre-election agreements that paved the way for their 2024 victory and Senegal’s historic political shift.