
Ousmane Sonko faces accusations of transforming the National Assembly into a stronghold for Pastef, thereby undermining the institution's sanctity. Critics question his capacity to bring about genuine change and his commitment to democracy, citing concerning appointments. The article suggests Sonko's actions contradict his stated principles, likening membership in Pastef to buying a fake gold ring that loses its luster. It argues that relying on Sonko for national change is an illusion. Specific appointments of Marie Rose Faye, Maimouna Dieye, and Amadou Chérif Diouf to the National Assembly are highlighted as examples of this trend, suggesting that the Assembly is becoming overstaffed with Pastef affiliates. The author notes the irony of individuals who decry privileges later seeking lucrative state positions. The article concludes by stating that Sonko is desacralizing the Assembly by turning it into a Pastef seat, and calls on President Diomaye Faye, as the guardian of institutions, to intervene. The piece is authored by Ibrahima Diam Sow, president of the Mouvement des patriotes insoumis MPI.
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Must ReadThe Senegalese Constitutional Council's decision to invalidate amendments passed by the National Assembly highlights growing divergences between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. The Council cited legal grounds, stating the reforms would incur new public expenditures without allocated funding, violating the Constitution. This ruling, while legal, has significant political implications, revealing a government still seeking balance after the opposition bloc's electoral victory. President Faye's move to refer the text to the Constitutional Council, despite the Assembly being dominated by Pastef, underscores his commitment to constitutional rules and the presidency's role in institutional checks and balances. The proposed reforms included establishing a Constitutional Court, an independent electoral authority, limiting presidential prerogatives, and strengthening transparency. However, the decision also raises questions about who is truly driving change, especially with increasing signs of a rift between Diomaye Faye and Sonko, further fueled by the President's intention to form his own political party. This situation, while common in democracies where alliances face governance realities, also sends a reassuring signal in a West African context marked by institutional crises, demonstrating that political disagreements can be resolved through institutional processes rather than confrontation. The Council's decision opens a new political phase, allowing for revised
Must ReadMalian authorities have acknowledged the loss of approximately 30 soldiers in recent clashes in Anéfis, northern Mali. The fighting involved the Malian Armed Forces FAMa against fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front FLA, supported by elements of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM. General Jean Elysée Dao, Chief of Staff of the Armies, stated on public television ORTM that around 30 soldiers were lost and about 60 were wounded, some seriously. Tuareg separatists claimed to have inflicted significant losses on Malian forces and Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps, while also admitting to losing some of their own fighters. After several days of confrontation, FAMa, supported by Africa Corps, announced they had regained control of Anéfis with the arrival of ground and air reinforcements. The rebels confirmed their withdrawal from the area, stating it was a strategic move to avoid civilian casualties. Malian military officials claim over 1,000 enemy combatants were killed, and dozens of armored vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles were destroyed, though these figures have not been independently confirmed. Malians believe media should also report on enemy losses for a balanced view of the conflict, noting the country has faced terrorism since 2012, which they say has strengthened the army's operational capabilities.
Must ReadThe head of the Malian army, General Jean Elysée Dao, announced on public television that approximately 30 Malian soldiers were killed and 60 wounded in recent intense fighting against Tuareg separatists for control of Anéfis in northern Mali. General Dao stated that around 30 "martyrs" fell and 60 were wounded, some seriously. This interview was broadcast on Malian public television ORTM on Friday and an audio recording was sent to AFP on Sunday. In a statement released on Saturday, the Tuareg separatists claimed to have inflicted the heaviest material and human losses in their history on Malian soldiers and Russian paramilitaries during the six-day battle, without specifying their own casualties. The Malian army and Russian paramilitaries from the Africa Corps regained control of Anéfis, according to rebels and a military source on Friday. On July 4, jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front FLA, predominantly Tuareg, launched new attacks across the country, claiming control of Anéfis. However, Russian paramilitaries from the Africa Corps and some Malian soldiers, entrenched in a military camp in Anéfis since July 4, continued fighting against their attackers, primarily FLA members. Russian and army reinforcements arrived on Thursday evening, retaking the town, which is located about 100 kilometers from the strategic town of Kidal, controlled by separatists and JNIM, accordi