In a scathing rebuke, Senegal’s ruling coalition has dismissed Ousmane Sonko’s latest verbal assault as shameful rhetoric that undermines his role as National Assembly President.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Pastef party’s new headquarters in Touba on Sunday evening, Sonko alleged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye prioritizes political ambition over the well-being of Senegalese citizens. He highlighted the country’s unsustainable debt burden and the absence of an IMF-backed recovery plan, declaring that Senegalese citizens are not the president’s top priority.

The president’s camp swiftly countered Sonko’s claims, asserting that Bassirou Diomaye Faye is actively working to improve living conditions for Senegalese people. The coalition accused Sonko of fueling unnecessary confrontation, emphasizing the president’s commitment to finding lasting solutions.