Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially launched his own political party, marking a decisive break from former ally Ousmane Sonko and setting the stage for a new chapter in the country’s politics.
The new party, Kiray (Republican Patriots), was unveiled on Saturday as Faye seeks to strengthen his political base following months of growing tensions with Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef party. The two men, who swept to power together in the 2024 presidential election, are now widely expected to become rivals in the 2029 presidential race.
The launch comes after a steady stream of defections from Pastef, with several senior party officials resigning to join Faye’s new movement. Members of the opposition Alliance for the Republic (APR), including regional leaders and youth representatives, have also pledged their support to the president.
Relations between Faye and Sonko deteriorated over disagreements on key policy issues, including how Senegal should negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the country grapples with a worsening debt crisis.
Earlier this year, Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister. Although Sonko’s party retained its parliamentary majority and he was later elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Pastef declined to participate in the new government after Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo was appointed prime minister in May.
The political split comes as Senegal faces mounting economic challenges. Soon after taking office, the new administration discovered that the previous government had significantly underreported the country’s public debt, complicating efforts to deliver campaign promises centred on job creation, anti-corruption reforms and ensuring Senegal receives greater benefits from its oil, gas and mineral resources.
Analysts say the formation of Faye’s new party is likely to reshape Senegal’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 local elections, which are expected to serve as an early test of strength between the two former allies before a possible presidential showdown in 2029.
