President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the Republic of Senegal has unveiled plans to establish a new political party, marking a significant strategic shift in the country’s political landscape. The announcement came during a four-hour meeting with 306 mayors representing all fourteen regions of Senegal, all of whom are members of the Coalition Diomaye Président. According to an official statement from the coalition, this move aims to formalize and strengthen the president’s political support base amid evolving power dynamics at the highest levels of government.
To execute this vision, President Faye has entrusted Aminata Touré, the coalition’s Supervisory General, with forming a dedicated committee. This team will be responsible for drafting the foundational organizational and statutory framework for the new political formation within the shortest possible timeframe.
a strategic pivot for Senegal’s political future
The coalition’s statement frames this initiative as a logical progression of its commitment to democratic governance. The future party is expected to embody an organic unity centered around the president, preparing the groundwork for upcoming electoral challenges. During the meeting, local officials reaffirmed their unwavering support for President Faye’s agenda, emphasizing his dedication to territorial equity by prioritizing local governance in public policy decisions.
tensions with sonko reshape the political scene
This political reorganization unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between President Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, who stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2026, now serves as President of the National Assembly, where his parliamentary majority continues to wield considerable influence. Their relationship has grown increasingly strained, culminating in a sharp divide over the constitutional reform bill passed by lawmakers on June 29.
The reform—which includes provisions such as prohibiting the president from simultaneously leading a political party, transforming the Constitutional Council into a Constitutional Court, and expanding parliamentary powers—has become a flashpoint in their ideological confrontation. The dispute now centers on the final adoption process: while Sonko advocates for immediate presidential promulgation based on legal precedent, Faye insists on holding a national referendum, though no date has been set for such a vote.
