Departure from the Presidency: Cheikh Oumar Diagne speaks out and targets the "profiteers of division"

Invited this Sunday to the program "Jury du Dimanche" on iTV, the former Director of General Services at the Presidency and President of the Rally for Truth (RV), Cheikh Oumar Diagne, broke his silence. Addressing controversies surrounding the Palace mosque and the Senegalese riflemen, denouncing the "profiteers of division" who are allegedly trying to undermine the Diomaye-Sonko duo, and reflecting on the demands of the government, the former advisor to the Head of State delivered an uncompromising analysis of the behind-the-scenes machinations of the transition of power.

His departure from the Presidency has clearly not diminished his interest in state affairs. Former Director of General Services (DMG) at the Presidency of the Republic, Cheikh Oumar Diagne keeps a close eye on the evolution of the regime that emerged from the March 2024 transition. A guest on iTV's "Sunday Jury" program , the president of the Rally for Truth (RV) reflected on his career within the state apparatus, as well as the controversies that marked his time at the Palace. A key figure in the political dynamic that propelled Bassirou Diomaye Faye to the highest office, he reaffirms his initial commitment to the President of the Republic and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. This political partnership, according to him, was founded on shared sovereignist convictions. However, the path between the ambitions declared before assuming power and the realities of governing the state has not been without its challenges.

Controversies that marked his time at the Palace

During his time as President, several of his positions sparked strong reactions from the public. Among the most discussed topics was his proposal to install a mosque in the Presidential Palace. This initiative fueled questions about the place of religion in institutions and the principle of secularism. On this issue, Cheikh Oumar Diagne intends to put his actions into context. He rejects the interpretations attributed to him and defends an initiative that he presents more as a response to practical and security considerations than as a desire to alter the secular nature of the State.

Another subject that sparked heated controversy was his interpretation of the history of the Senegalese Tirailleurs. His statements about these soldiers who served in the colonial army drew considerable criticism. Cheikh Oumar Diagne distinguishes, in his approach, between acknowledging the tragedies suffered by the Tirailleurs, notably the Thiaroye massacre, and historically assessing their service under the command of the colonial power. He believes that the leading figures of the resistance to colonial conquest must also occupy a central place in the national historical narrative. He specifically cites Lat Dior and Alboury Ndiaye, whom he presents as the true symbols of resistance against foreign domination. These various controversies have placed his name at the heart of several debates. The former advisor to the head of state, however, believes that some of his positions have been taken out of context or distorted in a political climate where rivalries and self-interest sometimes overshadow substantive debate.

Diomaye -Sonko: The "profiteers of division" in the crosshairs

The other important part of his speech concerned the relationship between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. While questions about the strength of their alliance regularly fuel political discussions, Cheikh Oumar Diagne refused to reduce the situation to a simple conflict between two men. The president of the RV party instead drew attention to the role of certain actors whom he described as "profiteers of division." According to his analysis, political and media figures have an interest in maintaining disagreements at the highest levels of government and amplifying signs of discord between the President of the Republic and his Prime Minister.

Behind the commentary and interpretations surrounding the relationship between the two heads of the executive branch, he sees maneuvers by actors seeking to profit from a potential rift. He considers this situation worrying, as it risks diverting the authorities' attention from urgent economic and social issues. For Cheikh Oumar Diagne, political tensions must not overshadow the commitments made to the Senegalese people. In his view, the priority remains implementing the policies that justified the change of power and fueled popular expectations.

Loyalty to convictions tested by governance

Now committed to revitalizing his political party, Cheikh Oumar Diagne intends to pursue his career beyond the responsibilities he held at the Presidential Palace. His account highlights the difficulties of a political partnership confronted with the demands of exercising power. Amid personal controversies, differing approaches, and questions about the cohesion of the executive branch, the former Director of General Services raises a broader issue: that of fidelity to the commitments that made the transfer of power possible. Beyond the relationships between those in power, it is above all the regime's ability to translate its promises into concrete results that the Senegalese people still expect.