A significant political realignment has unfolded in Podor as Ibrahima Diam Sow, former Pastef coordinator and president of the Mouvement des patriotes soumis, formally declared his departure from the party led by Ousmane Sonko. The move signals a growing divide within Senegal’s political opposition.

In a statement explaining his decision, Ibrahima Diam Sow cited deep ideological differences with Pastef’s current direction. He highlighted what he described as « persistent contradictions » within the party and criticized what he termed a « suffocating culture of uniformity » in decision-making processes. These factors, he argued, have eroded the alignment between his vision and that of Pastef’s leadership.

His political pivot now places him firmly within the Diomaye-Président coalition, where he vows to support President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s agenda. Emphasizing his newfound commitment, he stated, « National interests must always take precedence over partisan loyalty. »

Ibrahima Diam Sow’s influence in northern Senegal’s political sphere has been substantial. As one of Pastef’s earliest organizers in the region, he played a pivotal role in establishing the party’s presence there. His contributions included coordinating Ousmane Sonko’s first visit to the area in 2017 and collaborating on multiple mobilization campaigns with local leaders, including Ibrahima Sy.