Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is preparing to establish his own political party, according to a coalition supporting the head of state, in the clearest sign yet of a deepening rift with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
A pro-Faye coalition announced late Friday that the president had tasked senior adviser Aminata Touré with setting up a task force responsible for creating the new political formation.
The move marks a significant turning point in Senegal's political landscape. Faye, who rose to power with the backing of Sonko and the ruling African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (Pastef), has remained a member of the party until now.
Relations between the two leaders have deteriorated in recent months, culminating in Sonko's removal as prime minister in May. Sonko has since assumed the role of speaker of the National Assembly and has been advocating constitutional reforms aimed at reshaping Senegal's political system.
Among the proposed changes is a provision preventing a sitting president from simultaneously leading a political party. Although lawmakers approved the reforms last week, Faye opted to submit the amendments to a national referendum, the date of which has yet to be announced.
The political tensions come at a difficult time for Senegal, which is grappling with an economic crisis following revelations that debt figures had been misreported under the previous administration.
Analysts see the emerging rivalry between Faye and Sonko as likely to dominate the country's political scene ahead of local elections scheduled for 2027, which are expected to provide the first major test of the popular support enjoyed by each leader and their respective political camps.
