Pastef faces ticking time bomb in Ziguinchor as internal rift deepens

In Ziguinchor, the internal conflict within Pastef has burst into the open, pitting Mayor Djibril Sonko against his deputy Bassirou Coly in a struggle for control. As tensions escalate, the party’s future in this key region looks increasingly uncertain, revealing worrying fractures in its ranks.

The veneer of unity has crumbled in Ziguinchor. What were once quiet murmurs and subdued rivalries have become open political confrontation inside Pastef. At the heart of this crisis are two local figures: city mayor Djibril Sonko and his deputy Bassirou Coly, now locked in a dispute that is causing concern even in the party’s highest circles.

In the historic stronghold of Pastef leader Ousmane Sonko, the situation resembles a ticking political time bomb. Behind the mobilization speeches, the divisions are widening, threatening the cohesion of a party seeking to solidify its position in southern Senegal. The trigger was a political meeting in Soucoupapaye, ostensibly aimed at re-energizing activists and preparing for upcoming elections. But the gathering quickly went beyond its stated purpose.

With local and national officials including Toussaint Manga and Professor Alassane Diédhiou present, the speeches laid bare a rivalry between opposing camps. On one side, the mayor’s supporters defend his record and institutional legitimacy. On the other, a faction led by Bassirou Coly pushes for an alternative, not ruling out a mayoral candidacy in the next local elections.

A fragile facade of unity

The tension crystallized around a central issue: the political recapture and control of the Ziguinchor mayor’s office. During exchanges, Bassirou Coly hinted at his ambitions, stating his desire to run for mayor while pledging to abide by the party’s final decision.

In response, Mayor Djibril Sonko defended his municipal record and commitment, rejecting criticism and reminding listeners of his deep local roots. Without directly naming his opponents, he suggested that internal debates should not undermine the development momentum the commune has built.

These public statements have acted as a reveal. For months, simmering tensions have been running through the party’s local structures. Now they are out in the open, fueled by personal rivalries and competing ambitions.

For many activists present, this sequence marks a worrying turning point. As Pastef works to cement its presence in its symbolic stronghold, these internal divisions risk weakening the political momentum. The stakes extend beyond the Ziguinchor mayor’s office itself. This city, highly symbolic in Ousmane Sonko’s political journey, serves as a barometer of the party’s strength in the south.

Some local leaders are already warning of the political fallout if the party loses control of this strategic commune. Losing Ziguinchor would be seen as a negative signal ahead of the 2029 presidential election, with the 2027 local polls a crucial stepping stone. Faced with rising tensions, voices are calling for discipline and unity. But on the ground, the rivalries persist, fed by increasingly public positions.