The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has taken a decisive step by formally establishing KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains, his own political party, during a constitutive general assembly held in a Dakar hotel on Saturday, July 25. This move marks a significant political emancipation for the head of state, who was previously backed by the Parti africain pour l’indépendance, le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (PASTEF), the party that propelled him to power in March 2024. The new formation emerges under the banner « La Patrie d’abord », emphasizing national sovereignty and the strengthening of state institutions from the outset.
Clear break with former ally Ousmane Sonko
The launch of KIIRAAY coincides with escalating public disagreements between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, who remains at the helm of PASTEF and serves as Prime Minister. Once perceived as the twin pillars of Senegal’s political transformation, the two figures have seen their paths diverge in recent months, culminating in this organizational split. For the president, having a dedicated party structure enables him to distance himself from a political dependency that had become increasingly untenable while aligning his institutional apparatus with his presidential vision.
The significance of the name choice is not lost on observers. In Wolof, kiiraay conveys the idea of protection, a stark contrast to the confrontational rhetoric long associated with PASTEF. Where the former party championed sovereignty through rupture, the new formation prioritizes patriotism, republicanism, and institutional stability. This linguistic shift reflects a strategic repositioning by the head of state toward a more centrist, governance-focused approach as his presidency solidifies.
Patriotic and republican vision for Senegal
The policy framework unveiled by KIIRAAY centers on safeguarding the national interest, reinforcing republican institutions, and upholding the rule of law. These priorities, outlined during the constitutive assembly, signal a departure from protest politics toward a governance-oriented agenda. The party’s name, « Les Patriotes Républicains », bridges two key themes: an unwavering commitment to sovereignty—long a hallmark of the Faye-Sonko alliance since the 2022 legislative elections—and a commitment to republican norms, aimed at reassuring administrative, economic, and diplomatic elites.
This positioning carries significant implications for Senegal’s international partners. Since assuming office, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signaled a willingness to engage with donors and investors while renegotiating key contracts in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors. By establishing a party explicitly focused on institutional stability, the president seeks to bolster confidence in the predictability of public policy—a critical factor as Dakar navigates financial market access and its relationship with the International Monetary Fund.
Reshaping Senegal’s political landscape
The emergence of KIIRAAY fundamentally alters the balance of power. PASTEF, now stripped of presidential backing, retains a strong grassroots following but loses the symbolic leverage of the presidency. Traditional opposition parties, from the Parti démocratique sénégalais to factions of the former Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition, must recalibrate their strategies in response to a presidential majority now equipped with its own partisan backbone. A critical question remains: how many PASTEF members—particularly the deputies elected in November 2024—will transition to the new party?
The political calendar amplifies the stakes. Upcoming local elections and preparations for the 2029 presidential race will serve as early tests for KIIRAAY’s viability. The party will need to rapidly demonstrate its ability to build a robust territorial network, craft a distinct policy platform, and mobilize beyond its inherited 2024 campaign base. The struggle will also hinge on controlling partisan resources, administrative networks, and regional economic ties.
For Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the political equation shifts from personal loyalty to institutionalizing a presidential force. This move heralds a new chapter in Senegal’s political evolution, one defined by a focus on governance and statecraft.