The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, officially launched his new political party, ‘KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains’, on Saturday, July 25, in Dakar, marking a significant step in the reshaping of Senegal’s political landscape after his split with the PASTEF party, led by his former mentor Ousmane Sonko.
The newly formed party was unveiled during the constitutional assembly held at an hotel in the city center, adopting the motto ‘La Patrie d'abord’ (The Country First), emphasizing a centered approach focused on defending national interests, strengthening republican institutions, and consolidating the rule of law.
In Wolof, ‘Kiiraay’ means ‘that which protects’, a choice made by the party’s initiators as a symbol of a political formation intended to accompany the president’s governance project and unite forces supporting his vision for transforming Senegal.
Following the assembly, delegates unanimously elected Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the new party’s president, marking a change in his political stance after leaving Pastef’s leadership positions at the beginning of his presidential term.
A resolution read by Aminata Touré, the general supervisor of the former coalition Diomaye President, stated that KIIRAAY resulted from the merger of 437 parties, movements, and associations united around a common project aimed at supporting the reforms initiated by the president and the ambitions of Senegal’s development.
Beyond its political scope, the emergence of this new party is being closely watched by international partners, investors, and development actors. In a context where Senegal continues to implement its Vision Sénégal 2050 strategy, stability in institutions and clarity in governance remain crucial factors in reinforcing market confidence, attracting investments, and solidifying international partnerships.
The launch of KIIRAAY thus opens up a new phase in Senegalese politics, capable of redefining the balance within the president’s majority party as well as opposition forces, influencing the framework in which future economic and institutional reforms will be inscribed.
