Ousmane Sonko discusses relations with President Faye, Pastef's future, and public debt on France 24
via SeneNews12 min read
Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, gave an exclusive interview to RFI and France 24, addressing several key issues. He downplayed reports of a rift with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, stating that any differences are political and programmatic, not personal. Sonko also clarified that his departure from the government was not a major career turning point, and he will now focus on strengthening the Parliament's institutional role. He affirmed that the National Assembly would not give the Executive a "blank cheque" and would use its constitutional power of censure if necessary, while ruling out any postponement of the January 2027 local elections. Economically, the former Prime Minister discussed public debt and IMF negotiations. He reiterated his past opposition to a "savage" restructuring but is open to options that serve Senegal's interests, suggesting the possibility of canceling "odious" debt. Regarding the university crisis, Sonko defended his government's handling but acknowledged disproportionate force by security forces, noting an ongoing judicial inquiry. On the issue of homosexuality, he fully supported the recently strengthened penalties, citing Senegal's sovereignty and cultural and religious values, and rejected international criticism. Sonko declined to declare his candidacy for the 2029 presidential election, deeming it premature, and also refused to speculate on President Faye's potential bid for a second term.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Japanese football fans once again demonstrated their commitment to cleanliness at the World Cup 2026 in Dallas. Following the 2-2 draw between Japan and the Netherlands, supporters of the "Blue Samurais" remained in the stands to thoroughly clean the area before departing. Armed with blue trash bags, the Japanese fans meticulously collected discarded waste, continuing a tradition observed at major international competitions. Young Japanese supporter Eita Tanaka explained that this behavior reflects an education deeply rooted in Japanese society, where individuals are taught to leave a place cleaner than they found it. This culture of cleanliness is instilled from childhood, with students participating in daily classroom cleaning. The scarcity of public trash cans in Japan also encourages responsible waste management. The exemplary conduct of the Japanese supporters even inspired others at the stadium, with American quarterback Jameis Winston reportedly joining the cleaning efforts. Experts on Japanese society suggest this attitude stems from a strong sense of collective responsibility and a culture of group respect, aiming to avoid inconveniencing others and contribute to common well-being. As Japan continues in the competition, its supporters intend to maintain this example of civility, earning admiration worldwide and highlighting that fair play extends beyond the field.
Must ReadMacky Sall's Alliance for the Republic APR party has strongly rejected the constitutional revision project currently under consideration in the National Assembly, labeling it a "political betrayal." During a meeting in Dakar, the party criticized the government for diverting attention from the country's real socio-economic emergencies. The APR's National Executive Secretariat SEN convened this weekend in Dakar to oppose the constitutional revision, which it deems "without national urgency" and politically questionable, directly targeting the ruling majority led by Ousmane Sonko. The APR's statement highlighted a concerning national socio-economic situation, including declining purchasing power, persistent unemployment, difficulties in accessing employment, and recurrent electricity outages. The SEN stated that Senegal is experiencing significant turbulence marked by a continuous deterioration of living conditions, accusing the current government of prioritizing institutional debates over social emergencies. According to the party of former President Macky Sall, while Senegalese citizens expect concrete solutions to their daily difficulties, the government appears more concerned with political positioning and institutional reforms whose urgency is not demonstrated. The APR further described the National Assembly's approach as a "political betrayal," arguing that the reform is being conducted without sufficient democratic debate or national consensus, and within an already tens
Must ReadThe Autonomous Port of Dakar has been recognized as the leading port in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index CPPI. This achievement highlights the port's modernization and optimization efforts, solidifying its critical role in regional supply chains. The CPPI, published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, positions the Senegalese port at the top of the rankings for the region. The study analyzed over 403 ports globally, utilizing data from approximately 175,000 ship calls and 247 million container movements to assess operational efficiency.