In a landmark political move, Senegalese head of state Bassirou Diomaye Faye inaugurated his new political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, on Saturday in Dakar. This development signals a definitive break from his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
The party’s name, Kiiraay, translates to “protection” or “shield” in Wolof, reflecting its mission to safeguard Senegal’s interests. Kiiraay emerged from the transformation of the Diomaye Président coalition, which propelled Mr. Faye to the presidency in 2024.
Addressing a crowd of several hundred supporters, President Faye outlined Kiiraay’s core values: “the Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and hard work.” He declared the new party to be “the majority force in this nation,” with its guiding principle encapsulated in the slogan, La Patrie d’Abord (The Fatherland First).
The establishment of Kiiraay follows months of escalating tensions between President Faye and Mr. Sonko, former allies who jointly rose to power under the Pastef banner. Their disagreements, particularly over debt management and institutional reforms, culminated in Mr. Sonko’s dismissal as Prime Minister in May. Though Mr. Sonko remains Speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the Pastef party—currently the largest bloc in Parliament—this shift sets the stage for heightened political rivalry at the highest levels of government.
