Moody's downgrades Senegal's sovereign rating, Thierno Alassane Sall criticizes Diomaye and Sonko

The agency highlighted rising refinancing pressures, public debt at approximately 108% of GDP, and growing reliance on UEMOA regional markets due to the absence of an active International Monetary Fund program. Former Minister and leader of the Republic of Values party, Thierno Alassane Sall, reacted strongly to the downgrade on his X account. He attributed the deterioration to internal tensions within the state, specifically a "fratricidal war" between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, referring to their factions as "Kiiraay" and "Pastef."

Sall, a former Minister of Petroleum and Energy, argued that this rivalry at the executive level and within the former ruling coalition contributed to the country's macroeconomic decline, leading to a worsening of living conditions for Senegalese citizens. He criticized both factions, stating that Pastef's response to social urgency is selling party cards, while Kiiraay focuses on political maneuvering. Moody's also explicitly mentioned institutional tensions stemming from the dismissal of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his subsequent election as National Assembly President, noting that this political instability increases the risk of delays in necessary budgetary reforms.

Sall concluded by urging citizens to hold the entire