No Leadership Is A Place Holder

Bassirou Diomaye Faye (left) and Ousmane Sonko (right)

 

By Alpha Amadu Jalloh.

 

In the lead-up to Senegal’s 2024 presidential elections, the political landscape was defined not only by the aspirations of its citizens but by a strategic political maneuver. Ousmane Sonko, a dominant opposition figure with widespread youth support, was barred from contesting the presidency under controversial circumstances engineered by former President Macky Sall’s administration. In response, Sonko endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a relatively unknown but principled ally, to run in his place. Their alliance was hailed as a new dawn for Senegal. But now, only a few months into President Faye’s tenure, the unity that once inspired millions appears to be fraying.

 

What started as a partnership of trust and resistance is now being tested by power dynamics, personal egos, and divergent leadership philosophies. Sonko, who believed that he was the driving force behind the presidency, is quickly learning that leadership, once legally mandated, belongs to no one but the person chosen by the people.

 

Let us be clear. Ousmane Sonko was the revolutionary figure. He sparked national conversations, mobilized youth, and exposed the corrupt practices of the previous regime. He paid the price for his outspokenness with imprisonment, political exclusion, and character assassination. But his popularity remained intact, and when he was barred from contesting the election, he placed his trust in Faye to continue the struggle. That trust was not misplaced. Faye won the presidency, not by name recognition, but by representing the integrity, humility, and change the people demanded.

 

Faye, however, is proving he is not a mere stand-in. He is not a placeholder. He is the President of the Republic, vested with all constitutional powers and moral responsibility to govern independently. Those who viewed him as a temporary custodian, awaiting Sonko’s return, are now beginning to understand that no leadership is provisional once it has been legitimately earned.

 

And this is the root of the current political tension.

 

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, despite being in a position of significant influence, has recently voiced his dissatisfaction with Faye’s leadership style. Speaking openly to supporters, Sonko criticized what he called the President’s laissez-faire attitude, asserting that,

“President Faye must change his style of leadership. Senegal needs a strong hand, not a hesitant one. This country cannot be governed by weakness. The people expect decisive action and real leadership, not silence and neutrality.”

 

Such remarks are more than just internal disagreements. They are public signals of a power struggle. For a sitting Prime Minister to challenge the authority of a sitting President this openly reflects either a breakdown of mutual respect or a misreading of democratic roles. Either way, the consequences could be significant for governance and public confidence.

 

The idea that “I made him President” is not uncommon in African politics, where political loyalty often blurs the lines between personal favor and public mandate. But in constitutional democracies, leadership is earned at the ballot box. Bassirou Diomaye Faye was the candidate. He took the political risk. He earned the public’s trust. And now, he is the President. He is entitled to govern without being overshadowed by someone who could not legally run. That reality must be accepted.

 

President Faye has demonstrated measured restraint and clarity since taking office. His style may be quiet, even unassuming, but it is rooted in moral discipline and institutional respect. He has refused to be swept into populist battles or ego wars. Instead, he has focused on national healing, economic reform, and resetting Senegal’s democratic tone. That is not a weakness. That is wisdom.

 

In moments like this, one is reminded of the words of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal’s first president and philosopher-statesman, who once said:

“The political elite must be the most conscious part of the nation. It must think not of itself, but of the people it represents.”

That quote alone strips away the justification of power struggles driven by self-interest. Senghor did not envision leadership as a tool for personal vindication or revenge. He envisioned it as a service built on dignity and guided by intellect, not impulse.

 

In another of his timeless reflections, Senghor declared,

“Leadership is not in shouting the loudest, but in listening the most. The true leader does not dominate. He inspires.”

This message is relevant today more than ever. Senegal does not need internal competition between its top leaders. It needs unity of vision and purpose. It needs integrity over influence. It needs service over self.

 

Senegalese democracy is at a crossroads. If Sonko continues to see Faye’s presidency as an extension of his own unrealized vision, tensions will only deepen. The people voted for a leader who would break from the culture of strongman politics. Faye represents that break. He is not trying to be Sonko. He is trying to be himself. In doing so, he seeks to be the President that Senegal deserves.

 

There is still time for this alliance to thrive. But it will require humility from Sonko and firmness from Faye. Sonko must recognize that leadership is not only about passion and popularity, but also about timing and legitimacy. Faye, on the other hand, must continue asserting his authority without animosity. He must not govern under anyone’s shadow.

 

The people of Senegal did not vote for internal chaos. They voted for reform, accountability, and progress. They did not vote for a Prime Minister who undermines the President. Nor did they vote for a President who is controlled by another. They voted for responsible leadership.

 

And to that end, the message must be clear. No leadership is a placeholder. Not in Senegal. Not in Africa. Not in a democracy.

 

As the world watches Senegal, a beacon of democratic promise in West Africa, the maturity of its leadership will be tested not just by external challenges but by its own ability to rise above political entitlement and serve the people who put them there.

 

The burden is now on both men. But only one wears the crown. And he must be allowed to lead.

About the author:

 

Alpha Amadu Jalloh is a political analyst, human rights advocate, and award-winning author of “Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance.” He is a recipient of the 2025 Africa Renaissance Leadership Award.