Alliance? The PDS breaks its silence on its close ties with Diomaye Faye!

The recent close relationship between the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has fueled questions about the political stance of Abdoulaye Wade's party. But for Ousmane Goudiaby, president of the Federation of Liberal Executives, this is neither a rallying nor an alliance with the government. The liberal leader asserts instead a "republican stance," based on respect for the Senegalese people's vote and the institutions. " We wouldn't say we're close to the President of the Republic. We simply have a republican stance ," he clarified, in response to questions about the relationship between the PDS and the current administration.

Respect the president-elect

For Ousmane Goudiaby, recognizing the legitimacy of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye does not necessarily mean that the PDS shares the government's policies. According to him, it is about respecting the choice expressed by the voters. " A stance that should strengthen popular legitimacy. A stance that should also lend credibility and much greater respect to the institution embodied by the President of the Republic ," he explains. The liberal leader points out that Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected with 54% of the vote and that this legitimacy, in his view, requires a republican attitude from political parties.

Wade's centenary , a symbol of a republican stance

Ousmane Goudiaby cites the centenary celebration of Abdoulaye Wade as an illustration of this approach. President Diomaye Faye agreed to be the patron, a gesture that the PDS official considers perfectly compatible with republican principles. " That is why President Diomaye readily agreed to serve as patron of the centenary celebration of Abdoulaye Wade, in true republican fashion ," he emphasizes. For him, this event transcends partisan politics. Abdoulaye Wade, former president of the Republic and founder of the PDS, is no longer just a figure of the liberal party, but a personality belonging to Senegal's political heritage. " Abdoulaye Wade doesn't belong only to the PDS. Wherever you go, people recognize that everything he accomplished for Senegal means that Mr. Wade belongs to Senegal, to all of Africa, and even to the world ," asserts Ousmane Goudiaby.

“ We are still in the opposition.”

The president of the Federation of Liberal Executives is keen to emphasize that this stance does not call into question the political status of the PDS. The party, he insists, has remained in opposition since losing power. " Whatever criticisms one might have, since losing power, we have always been in opposition. We have never been seen to compromise or form inter-coalitions, which are unnatural ," he asserts. The PDS thus intends to distinguish itself from certain political groups that may adapt their positioning according to circumstances. Goudiaby, on the contrary, claims a consistent line, which he presents as being based on experience and responsibility.

An opposition that raises the alarm and advises

This stance does not mean, however, that the PDS intends to remain silent in the face of government decisions. Ousmane Goudiaby believes his party must be able to raise the alarm when the choices made seem dangerous for the country and, when its opinion is sought, to contribute its experience. He specifically mentions the press conference organized on March 26, 2025, by PDS teachers and officials. At the time, the party warned of the risks linked to the international economic and geopolitical context, particularly regarding the state's ability to sustainably maintain hydrocarbon subsidies. " We warned of the risk of price surges later on ," he states, estimating that the state could not indefinitely continue to bear a hydrocarbon subsidy bill that, according to him, is close to 30 billion CFA francs per month. For him, this position illustrates the difference between an opposition he describes as "responsible" and an opposition based on announcements he considers populist.

Wade's experience as a compass

Beyond the current situation, Ousmane Goudiaby also addressed the PDS's decision to support Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the presidential election. He stands by this decision, while acknowledging that the party had made recommendations to the new leadership. According to him, after several years of political tensions, demonstrations, and violence, the PDS felt that change was necessary. " Change was needed because, already, the country had two entities, or perhaps within the political class, there was such a deep division ," he explained. The liberal leader recalled, however, that Abdoulaye Wade had emphasized the need to avoid managing a state solely through experimentation. " A country is not managed with experimentation, but also with experience, " he stated, citing this as one of the pieces of advice given to the new political generation. For Ousmane Goudiaby, the history of the PDS justifies this position. He recalls that Mr. Wade himself had given an important place to youth and appointed some of the youngest ministers in the Republic.

A line between institutional support and political opposition

The PDS's positioning is thus clearly defined by its leader: to respect Bassirou Diomaye Faye as President of the Republic without relinquishing the party's role in the opposition. Ousmane Goudiaby therefore refuses to speak of political proximity. He prefers to describe a "legalistic" and "republican" line, which consists of respecting the vote of the Senegalese people and the institutions while maintaining the freedom to criticize government action. " If there is a perception that we are very close to one side or the other, it can only be a perception. Take it as a republican stance ," he concludes. This is a way for the PDS to claim a unique position: not to be part of the presidential majority, but also not to be in systematic opposition, by highlighting the experience acquired in managing the state and the political legacy of Abdoulaye Wade.