Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye breaks away with new party launch
On a scorching Saturday in Dakar, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye made a decisive move in Senegal’s political landscape by unveiling his new party, Kiiraay, marking an official separation from his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. This development follows months of growing tensions between the two leaders who once shared a common political vision within the Pastef party.
Faye, who assumed office in 2024, had appointed Sonko as Prime Minister shortly after his election. However, their collaboration deteriorated over time, culminating in Sonko’s dismissal from the prime ministerial position in May 2026. The rift became increasingly public as both leaders pursued divergent paths in addressing Senegal’s pressing challenges, particularly its mounting public debt.
The inauguration of Kiiraay — a name derived from the Wolof language meaning “protection” or “shield” — took place in a packed conference hall in Dakar, where supporters gathered both inside and on the sweltering streets outside. Attendees waved signs and wore scarves emblazoned with slogans like “Long live Diomaye,” reflecting their unwavering support for the president. Faye emphasized the party’s founding principles, stating it stands on “republican values, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and diligence.”
Public enthusiasm and political shifts
Outside the venue, Mamo Khady Sall, a 43-year-old resident of Yeumbeul, a Dakar suburb, expressed her admiration for Faye as a “man of peace,” while openly criticizing Sonko. Her sentiment mirrored that of many young Senegalese who had initially rallied behind Sonko’s panafricanist rhetoric during his political rise, which included a contentious power struggle with former President Macky Sall.
Both Faye and Sonko had campaigned on promises of economic transformation, social justice, and anti-corruption measures. However, Faye now argues that these goals could not be achieved within the constraints of the Pastef party. “After two years in power, it became clear that the desired changes were unattainable under the current party structure,” noted Ibra Faye, an economist and financial engineer from Dakar.
Majority party claims spark debate
During the event, President Faye declared Kiiraay as “the majority party in this country,” while highlighting the presence of mayors, sector leaders, and civil society figures in attendance. Several Pastef officials and activists have since defected to join the president’s new movement. The party plans to hold its first congress following the summer rainy season, according to the president’s communications team.
Faye’s political journey remains deeply intertwined with Sonko’s, as the latter was instrumental in propelling him to the presidency. Had Sonko not been barred from the 2024 presidential race due to a defamation conviction, he likely would have secured the top position himself. The falling-out intensified over disagreements on debt management strategies and broader governance issues, leading to Sonko’s removal as Prime Minister. Despite this, he maintains a strong influence as the undisputed leader of Pastef, which holds a commanding majority in Senegal’s 165-seat National Assembly.
In late June, the Assembly passed a controversial bill aimed at curbing presidential powers, including a provision preventing the head of state from leading a political party or coalition. However, the Constitutional Council struck down the measure within two weeks, reaffirming the separation of powers in Senegal’s governance structure.
