Senegal’s political landscape remains highly charged. Baye Mayoro Diop, a senior civil servant and member of the “Diomaye Président” coalition, has intensified his criticism of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, just days after calling for his immediate dismissal.
A public feud involving a senior official
Diop, who serves as Director of Decentralized Cooperation at the Ministry of Urban Planning, took to social media to dispute Sonko’s recent comments, arguing that the prime minister overstepped his authority by attempting to control ministerial travel abroad. According to Diop, such decisions do not fall under Sonko’s remit, and ministers should reject what he described as a “dictate” to preserve their “dignity.”
This comes on the heels of a widely criticized post in which Diop demanded that Sonko be removed from office — a statement that drew significant backlash from government officials and the public alike.
Government condemns controversial remarks
In response, the Ministry of Urban Planning issued a statement condemning Diop’s remarks as “unacceptable” for a senior civil servant, emphasizing the need for restraint, neutrality and loyalty in public office. The ministry clarified that Diop’s comments were strictly personal and did not represent the position of the government.
A divisive political debate
The episode has reignited debate in Senegal over the role of public officials in political discourse and the impact of social media commentary by state actors. While critics argue that such rhetoric undermines institutional credibility, supporters of Diop view his remarks as a defense of government authority amid a polarized political climate.
Seneweb
