Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party, marking a formal break with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the ruling Pastef movement that propelled both leaders to power in the 2024 presidential election.
Faye unveiled his new party, Kiiraay, Republican Patriots, during a gathering in the capital, Dakar, on Saturday, describing it as "the majority party in this country." The word "Kiiraay" means "shield" in the Wolof language, one of Senegal's most widely spoken languages.
The announcement formalizes a political rift that has widened over recent months between Faye and Sonko, who were once the leading figures of Senegal's anti-establishment movement and close political allies.
The power struggle escalated in May, when President Faye dismissed Sonko from the post of prime minister. Despite his removal from government, Sonko later became Speaker of the National Assembly and continues to lead Pastef, which retains a commanding majority in parliament.
The split raises fresh questions about the future of Senegal's governing coalition and the balance of power between the presidency and the legislature.
The political realignment comes as Senegal faces mounting economic challenges following revelations that the previous administration significantly misreported the country's public debt, triggering concerns over fiscal management and complicating efforts to restore confidence in the country's finances.
Analysts are expected to closely monitor whether Faye's new political platform can consolidate support independently of Pastef as the West African nation navigates both political tensions and economic uncertainty.
