On a recent Saturday in Dakar, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye made a decisive move by launching his new political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains. This initiative marks a clear break from his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko. The party’s name, derived from the Wolof term for “protection” or “shield,” emerged from the transformation of the Diomaye Président coalition, which had propelled Faye to the presidency in 2024.
Addressing a crowd of several hundred supporters, the head of state positioned Kiiraay as a movement rooted in “the Republic, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and diligence.” He declared it the nation’s leading political force, with its slogan, “The Homeland First,” underscoring a commitment to uniting the country under his presidential vision.
The establishment of Kiiraay follows months of escalating tensions between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, once key allies who jointly secured power under the Pastef banner. Their disagreements—particularly over debt management and institutional reforms—culminated in Sonko’s dismissal as Prime Minister in May. Though Sonko retains his roles as National Assembly President and Pastef leader, his party’s parliamentary majority sets the stage for intensified political rivalry at the highest levels of government.
