The High Regulatory Authority for Political Parties (HARP) of PASTEF-Les Patriotes has officially initiated the election process for the party’s president on May 14, 2026. As per Decision No. 001/2026/HARP, candidates may submit their applications from May 15 to noon on May 20, 2026.
A competitive process addressing Diomaye’s concerns
This election does not grant automatic re-election to the outgoing president, Ousmane Sonko. Instead, it invites all party factions to participate, giving the current Prime Minister, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opportunity to seek re-election while removing any assurance of success. The move aligns with the President’s earlier remarks criticizing the party for being overly “personalized.”
The HARP’s decision introduces a structured and transparent process, directly responding to Faye’s critique while raising questions about PASTEF’s future leadership during a pivotal moment for the party.
In recent discussions about the 2029 presidential race, Faye emphasized that any candidate selection would depend on the outcomes of the upcoming congress, signaling that internal debates over the party’s nominee remain unresolved. This internal election serves as a precursor to that broader discussion.
A tight five-day window for candidates
The HARP’s timeline is stringent: candidates have just five working days to prepare and submit their applications, using a standardized declaration form provided in the decision. The deliberation was finalized during a special session held on May 14, 2026.
The result of this internal vote will determine who officially represents PASTEF ahead of the next congress, where the party’s candidate for the 2029 presidential election is expected to be decided.