In Senegal, the ruling party PASTEF – Les Patriotes is set to hold a congress on June 6, 2026, to elect a new party president, with internal power dynamics under close scrutiny. The party’s regulatory authority has officially opened the call for applications for the presidency, with submissions accepted between May 15 and May 20, 2026.
With just days left before the end of the filing period, no candidate has officially declared their intention to run. However, within the party, many supporters believe there is little doubt that current leader Ousmane Sonko will seek to retain control.
For many militants, known as “Patriotes,” any internal challenge to Sonko’s leadership would be seen as a betrayal. The key question is whether Sonko will stand again, as the congress unfolds amid growing political tensions between Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Legal constraints and political stakes
Under current legal provisions, a sitting head of state cannot simultaneously lead a political party, adding complexity to the leadership question and fueling debate over the party’s future direction. The congress is seen as a decisive moment for PASTEF at a time when internal tensions are increasingly shaping Senegal’s political landscape.
Leave a comment