Senegal President, Faye, launches new party as split with Sonko deepens

Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has launched a new political party, deepening his split with former ally Ousmane Sonko and setting the stage for a potential showdown in the country’s 2029 presidential election.

Faye unveiled the Kiray, or Republican Patriots, party on Saturday as he seeks to strengthen his political base following months of growing tensions with Sonko, leader of the ruling Pastef party.

The two leaders swept to power together in 2024 on a platform promising jobs for young people, tougher action against corruption and greater national benefit from Senegal’s oil, gas and mineral resources, Africanews reports.

However, their alliance has since fractured over policy disagreements, including how to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a financial support programme amid the country’s worsening debt crisis.

In recent weeks, several Pastef officials have resigned to join Faye’s new movement, while members of the opposition Alliance for the Republic, including regional leaders and youth officials, have also pledged their support.
Earlier this year, Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister.

Although Sonko lost the premiership, Pastef retained its commanding parliamentary majority, enabling him to secure the presidency of the National Assembly.

Faye later appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as prime minister, with the new Cabinet excluding Pastef members after Sonko announced that his party would not participate in the government.

The administration has also faced mounting economic challenges after discovering that the previous government had underreported billions of dollars in public debt, worsening Senegal’s fiscal position and complicating efforts to fulfil campaign promises.

Political analysts say the formation of Faye’s new party is likely to intensify competition ahead of local elections in 2027 and could shape the contest for the 2029 presidential election, where Faye and Sonko are widely expected to emerge as rivals.

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