President Faye unveiled his new party, named “Kiiraay” – a Wolof term meaning “protection” or “shield” – during a press conference held at a prominent hotel in Dakar. Hundreds of his enthusiastic supporters, unable to fit inside the conference hall, gathered outside in the scorching heat, brandishing placards and wearing decorative scarves emblazoned with “Vive Diomaye.” In announcing the formation of this new political entity, whose motto is “Patriotes républicains” (Republican Patriots), President Faye emphasized its foundation on “republican values, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and hard work.” Among the crowd, Mamo Khady Sall, 43, who traveled from Yeumbeul, a Dakar suburb, with a group of 15 other women, praised Faye as a “man of peace,” expressing her strong dislike for Ousmane Sonko, whose name she refused to utter.

Sonko had garnered significant support among young Senegalese through his pan-Africanist rhetoric, particularly after his power struggle with former President Macky Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024. Both Sonko and Faye had campaigned on a platform of profound change, advocating for economic transformation, social justice, and a robust fight against corruption. “After these two years in power, it has become evident that the demanded changes were simply not achievable within the current framework of the Pastef party,” stated Ibra Faye, a Dakar-based economist and financial engineer.

“Majority Party” Assertion

Addressing his supporters at the rally, President Faye declared, “Kiiraay is now the majority party in this country.” The event saw the presence of numerous mayors, regional leaders, and prominent civil society figures. Several key officials and activists from Pastef have recently announced their resignations, opting to join the presidential camp. According to the president’s communications team, the new party plans to hold its inaugural congress following the nation’s summer rainy season. Bassirou Diomaye Faye largely owes his presidency to Ousmane Sonko, his erstwhile mentor, who would almost certainly have ascended to the head of state himself had he not been disqualified from the 2024 presidential election in this West African nation due to a defamation conviction.

Public Debt Disagreements

The two political figures subsequently fell out over fundamental disagreements regarding Senegal’s strategy to address its substantial public debt and other critical policy matters. On May 22, Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially dismissed Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. Sonko’s allies swiftly responded by appointing him President of the National Assembly, where he maintains his undisputed leadership of Pastef, a party that commands 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal’s unicameral parliament. In late June, the National Assembly passed legislation aimed at curtailing presidential powers, notably by prohibiting the head of state from leading a political party or coalition. However, the Constitutional Council invalidated this specific measure less than two weeks later, underscoring the ongoing political dynamics in Senegal.