Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party, formalising his break with former prime minister Ousmane Sonko and the ruling Pastef party that swept him to power in 2024.
Faye unveiled his Kiiraay — Republican Patriots party at a gathering in the capital Dakar on Saturday, describing it as “the majority party in this country”. Kiiraay means “shield” in the local Wolof language.
Faye and Sonko, once the twin faces of Senegal’s anti-establishment movement, have been engaged in a months-long power struggle.
Faye dismissed Sonko in May but Sonko later became speaker of the National Assembly and remains the leader of Pastef, which retains a large majority in parliament.
Senegal is grappling with a crisis stemming from the revelation of misreported debt under the previous government.
- Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party called Kiiraay — Republican Patriots.
- The party marks Faye's formal break from former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the ruling Pastef party.
- Kiiraay, meaning "shield" in Wolof, was unveiled in Dakar and described by Faye as the country’s majority party.
- Faye and Sonko have been in a power struggle since Faye dismissed Sonko in May; Sonko remains leader of Pastef and speaker of the National Assembly.
- Senegal is facing a crisis due to the revelation of misreported debt from the previous government.
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party, formalising his break with former prime minister Ousmane
Faye unveiled his Kiiraay — Republican Patriots party at a gathering in the capital Dakar on Saturday, describing it as "the majority party in this country". Kiiraay means "shield" in the local Wolof language.
Faye and
Faye dismissed
Senegal is grappling with a crisis stemming from the revelation of misreported debt under the previous government.
