Senegal’s president launches new party amid political shift
Breaking news.
On Saturday in Dakar, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially unveiled his new political party, Kiiraay, marking a definitive break with his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The move comes after months of escalating tensions between the two leaders, who had previously joined forces to secure power in the 2024 elections.
Introducing Kiiraay: A new political vision
Hundreds of supporters gathered in Dakar for the launch of Kiiraay, a party whose name translates to “protection” or “shield” in Wolof. Described as the movement of “Republican Patriots,” Kiiraay positions itself on the pillars of republican values, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and hard work. Faye emphasized the party’s ambition to become Senegal’s dominant political force, with several elected officials and political figures already defecting from the Pastef to join the new movement.
End of an alliance
The formation of Kiiraay signals the culmination of months of growing rifts between Faye and Sonko. After initially appointing Sonko as Prime Minister, Faye dismissed him in May amid deepening political and economic disagreements. Despite his removal from government, Sonko remains Speaker of the National Assembly and continues to lead the Pastef, which still holds a strong majority in Parliament.
A reshaping of Senegal’s political landscape
The emergence of Kiiraay ushers in a new chapter in Senegalese politics. The party is set to hold its first congress after the rainy season, as the rivalry between Faye and Sonko takes center stage in the country’s evolving political dynamics.