The political rivalry between Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo and his predecessor, Ousmane Sonko, appears to have escalated significantly. Hours after the Pastef leader’s press conference in Touba, where he sharply criticized the government’s actions and announced plans to support a series of no-confidence motions in the National Assembly, the head of government chose to respond via a message posted on the social media platform X.

Without directly naming Ousmane Sonko, Al Aminou Lo published a message widely interpreted as a rebuttal to the former Prime Minister’s statements. “To seek to make patriotism the monopoly of a single camp is, precisely, to betray it.” This reaction follows comments made by Ousmane Sonko after the inauguration of Pastef’s headquarters in Touba. Addressing his party’s activists, the former head of government asserted that he had been informed of statements allegedly made by Al Aminou Lo during a confidential meeting.

“According to intelligence I received, Al Aminou Lo reportedly declared, during a confidential meeting, that his priority is now the improvement of the business climate. This signifies a desire to meet the expectations of Western investors and economic partners,” Ousmane Sonko stated. The Pastef president deemed this strategic direction to be a form of “sabotage” of the political agenda he advocates. He then announced the imminent filing of several no-confidence motions targeting the government led by Al Aminou Lo, with the stated aim of obstructing its work.