Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially launched his new political party, Kiiraay, marking a definitive break with his former ally and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The announcement was made on Saturday, July 25, during a political conference held at a major hotel in Dakar.
The creation of Kiiraay confirms the deepening political divide between the two figures who jointly led Senegal’s political transition in 2024. Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko were both members of the panafricanist party Pastef, which propelled Faye to the presidency after a campaign focused on political renewal, economic transformation, social justice and the fight against corruption.
Shortly after taking office, President Faye appointed Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister. However, tensions gradually grew between the two leaders, eventually leading to Sonko’s dismissal as head of government in May.
During the launch ceremony, President Faye unveiled Kiiraay, a Wolof word meaning “protection” or “shield”. The party’s slogan, “Patriotes républicains” (Republican Patriots), reflects its political vision based on “the Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity and work,” according to the Senegalese leader.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the venue as the conference hall could not accommodate everyone. Despite the intense heat in Dakar, they waved banners and wore scarves displaying messages such as “Vive Diomaye” in support of the president.
“Kiiraay is the majority party in this country”
Addressing his supporters, Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared that “Kiiraay is the majority party in this country”, highlighting the presence of several mayors, local officials and civil society figures at the event.
Among those attending was Mamo Khady Sall, a 43-year-old woman from Yeumbeul, a Dakar suburb, who came with a group of 15 other women. She described President Faye as a “man of peace” and expressed strong opposition to Ousmane Sonko, saying she did not even want to mention his name.
Sonko had built a strong following among Senegalese youth through his panafricanist message and his opposition to former President Macky Sall, who ruled the country from 2012 to 2024. Together, Sonko and Faye campaigned on promises of profound change, economic sovereignty, social justice and stronger institutions.
Growing defections from Pastef
The launch of Kiiraay comes after several Pastef officials and activists announced their departure from the party to join President Faye’s political camp.
According to Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s communication team, Kiiraay will hold its first congress after the country’s rainy season.
The Senegalese president owes much of his rise to power to Ousmane Sonko, his former political mentor. Sonko was widely seen as a potential winner of the 2024 presidential election before being prevented from running due to a defamation conviction.
After Faye’s victory, the two leaders began to diverge over several key issues, including how Senegal should address its heavy public debt and other political orientations.
On May 22, President Faye removed Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. Sonko’s allies later elected him President of the National Assembly, while he remains the undisputed leader of Pastef, which controls 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal’s single-chamber parliament.
Political power struggle continues
In late June, Senegal’s National Assembly passed a bill aimed at limiting presidential powers, including a provision preventing the head of state from leading a political party or coalition.
However, the Constitutional Council rejected the measure less than two weeks later, leaving the political debate over the balance of power between the presidency and political parties unresolved.
With the launch of Kiiraay, Bassirou Diomaye Faye begins a new chapter in Senegal’s political landscape, as the country’s ruling alliance from 2024 formally splits into two competing forces.
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