Former Culture Minister Amadou Ba has publicly defended Pastef leader Ousmane Sonko following controversial interviews with RFI and France 24. Ba accuses certain media outlets of "shameful manipulation" by taking Sonko's comments regarding Senegal's hidden debt out of context. He asserts that Sonko has remained consistent in his position, arguing that the debt was revealed specifically to prevent a payment default. While Sonko still describes the debt as "odious" due to irregular budgetary procedures, he maintains that financial commitments must be honored to preserve national credibility. Ba dismisses claims of a policy reversal, stating that any potential debt cancellation is a complex diplomatic struggle involving international institutions like the IMF. This defense comes amid intense public debate over Senegal's public debt management and recent economic choices.