Senegal’s head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has taken a decisive step by unveiling his new political party, KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains, on Saturday, July 25, in Dakar. The announcement, made during a constituent general assembly at a capital hotel, marks the president’s political emancipation from the African Party for Independence, Labour, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF), the movement that propelled him to power in March 2024. Guided by the motto “La Patrie d’abord” (The Homeland First), the new party immediately positions itself as a champion of national sovereignty and institutional resilience.
Formalizing a break from Ousmane Sonko
The establishment of KIIRAAY comes against a backdrop of public disagreements between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, who remains at the helm of PASTEF and serves as Prime Minister. Once seen as the complementary faces of Senegal’s political upheaval, the two leaders have seen their paths diverge in recent months, culminating in this organizational split. For the president, having his own party means shedding an uncomfortable political dependency and aligning his support structure with his presidential decisions.
The name KIIRAAY carries deep significance. In Wolof, the term conveys protection—a stark contrast to the confrontational and sovereignty-driven rhetoric long associated with PASTEF. While the former party emphasized sovereignty through rupture, KIIRAAY frames its mission around patriotism, republicanism, and institutional stability. This shift reflects the president’s move toward a more institutional center of gravity as he solidifies his grip on power.
Patriotism and republicanism as guiding principles
The policy blueprint unveiled by KIIRAAY prioritizes national interest, the strengthening of republican institutions, and the reinforcement of the rule of law. These priorities, outlined during the constituent assembly, signal a shift from protest politics to statecraft. The party’s name—Les Patriotes Républicains—aims to bridge two key pillars: unwavering commitment to sovereignty, a hallmark of the Faye-Sonko alliance since the 2022 legislative elections, and fidelity to republican norms, a message directed at administrative, economic, and diplomatic elites.
This positioning holds particular significance for Senegal’s international partners. Since assuming office, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signaled openness to development partners and investors while simultaneously renegotiating key contracts in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors. By launching a party explicitly centered on institutions, he seeks to reassure stakeholders of predictable governance—an essential factor as Dakar works to maintain access to financial markets 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 deprived of the president’s endorsement, retains a strong grassroots following but loses the symbolic leverage of the presidency. Traditional opposition parties, from the Senegalese Democratic Party to factions of the Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition, must rethink their strategies in the face of a presidential majority now equipped with its own partisan backbone. The critical question remains: how many PASTEF members, particularly the 2024-elected deputies, will migrate to the new structure?
The political calendar intensifies the stakes. Upcoming local elections and preparations for the 2029 presidential vote will serve as the first major tests for KIIRAAY. The party must swiftly prove its ability to build a nationwide network, articulate a distinct policy agenda, and mobilize beyond the militant base inherited from the 2024 campaign. Practically, the struggle will also revolve around controlling partisan resources, administrative networks, and regional economic ties.
For President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the political equation now shifts from personal loyalty to the institutional construction of a presidential force. This move signals a new chapter in Senegal’s political evolution.