
Aldiouma Sow, Minister-Counselor to the President and coordinator of the political, civil society, and trade union pole within the Presidential Cabinet, has made strong criticisms against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Speaking on TFM's Infos Matin, Sow stated that many party officials have changed their view of Sonko since coming to power. He claimed that criticisms previously dismissed as opposition tactics were found to be valid, asserting that "Ousmane Sonko betrayed us. He had hidden his true face from us." Sow also criticized the internal workings of Pastef, citing the dismissal of Fifi Diakhaté from MONCAP and alleging that some officials disregard rules and institutional functioning. He further claimed that the party's leadership is now controlled by a "messianic faction" of two or three individuals, operating to the detriment of the party's interests. These statements highlight growing tensions and divergent views within the ruling majority, marking one of the most direct criticisms of Sonko from a close government official.
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Must ReadFrench far-right leader Marine Le Pen, a member of parliament for the Rassemblement National RN party, remains eligible to run in the 2027 presidential election despite a recent court ruling. The appeals court reduced her ineligibility period to fifteen months, which has already been served. However, she was sentenced to a 100,000 euro fine, forty-five months of ineligibility thirty of which are suspended, and three years of imprisonment, with one year to be served at home under an electronic tag. This decision allows for a potential fourth presidential candidacy, though Le Pen had previously stated that a full campaign would be incompatible with wearing an electronic tag. Her lawyer, Me Rodolphe Bosselut, expressed partial satisfaction with the verdict. The court emphasized the seriousness of the misappropriation of over 2.8 million euros in European Parliament funds for the benefit of the RN party, describing it as an organized scheme over 11 years. Despite the conviction, the court highlighted the importance of the "freedom of candidacies" and the "freedom of voters' choice." Polls suggest Le Pen or Jordan Bardella, who could be nominated as the RN candidate if Le Pen chooses not to run, are favorites for the 2027 election, both garnering over 30% of voting intentions in the first round. Socialist parliamentary leader Boris Vallaud called Le Pen a "delinquent" following the verdict, stating it is now up to her to decide if a convicted individual should run for election.

Mamadou Sarr, a young defender for Senegal's national football team, shared a message of determination following the Lions' elimination from the World Cup. Despite not playing any minutes during the competition, Sarr expressed his commitment to learn from the experience and return stronger. He posted on social media, "Every experience is a lesson. Every day is a learning. I will come back stronger and more determined!" Sarr had previously gained recognition during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he capably filled in for the absent captain. This World Cup, however, did not offer him the opportunity to play, a dream for any footballer. His statement reflects his intention to use this challenging period as motivation to further his career and secure a lasting position within the Senegalese national team.

Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has refused to apologize unconditionally for racist and insulting comments made against French footballer Kylian Mbappé. Amarilla had sparked outrage by calling Mbappé a "colonized Cameroonian pretending to be French," as well as "nouveau riche, arrogant, and ugly," among other offensive remarks. In a letter, she attempted to justify her statements, claiming she wrote them in anger with "blood boiling." While acknowledging her words might have been humiliating, she then demanded an apology from Mbappé, accusing him of public denigration and claiming to be a victim of "gender violence." She wrote, "Retract with me, honor your French citizenship, and apologize," even mentioning potential legal action. Amarilla emphasized that her attacks were directed solely at Mbappé and not France, where she had lived and studied. Observers note that her explanations are not seen as genuine apologies, as she maintains some accusations and shifts responsibility to Mbappé, prolonging the controversy.