The most scrutinized political duo in West Africa now belongs to the past. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Dakar, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially launched his own party, “Kiiraay â Les Patriotes Républicains.” This gesture transforms a rivalry that has become public into an institutional split and opens a power struggle with Ousmane Sonko, his former ally and leader of PASTEF.
Just two years ago, the two men embodied a promise of change together. Sonko, barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, had backed Faye’s candidacy. Their victory had fueled hopes for a political, economic, and judicial overhaul. By 2026, this alliance had turned into a confrontation between the presidency and a parliamentary majority still dominated by Sonko’s party.
A New Party That Formalizes the Divorce
According to the Associated Press, the creation of the Patriotes Républicains officially marks a separation that has been in preparation for several months. Regional leaders from PASTEF, members of its youth movement, and former opposition officials have joined the presidential camp ahead of the launch. Faye is no longer just seeking emancipation; he is building an organization capable of providing him with a political base.
The Senegalese Press Agency had already summarized the stakes before the ceremony: the head of state “takes flight and reshuffles the cards.” The name Kiiraay, associated with the idea of protection in Wolof, is intended to allow the president to maintain a patriotic lineage while distinguishing himself from PASTEF, the party that brought him to power.
This choice also breaks with the original balance of the duo. Faye held presidential legitimacy while Sonko retained control of the party and immense grassroots influence. By building his own machine, the president seeks to unite under one banner local elected officials, institutional supporters, and leaders who refuse to choose a return to the old opposition.
How the 2024 Alliance Exploded
The split did not happen overnight. In May 2026, Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister after months of disagreements. Sonko then took the helm of the National Assembly, where PASTEF holds considerable strength. The Associated Press reported in June that the party controlled 130 of the 165 seats.
The new government, led by Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, was formed without the major figures close to Sonko. He refused to allow PASTEF to participate and announced a shift toward opposition. The conflict thus evolved from a presumed personal rivalry to a confrontation between two centers of legitimacy: the Senegalese Ãlysée, the Palace of the Republic, and an Assembly where Sonko’s loyalists can influence every piece of legislation.
The contrast is striking. In 2024, Faye was presented as Sonko’s substitute candidate, who was ineligible. Their slogan “Diomaye mooy Sonko,” affirming their unity, had symbolized the campaign. The president now intends to prove that he is neither an interim leader nor the executor of another leader’s agenda. Sonko, for his part, retains a powerful grassroots apparatus and can assert that the initial project has been hijacked.
Debt Places Senegal Under Pressure
This battle erupts at the worst economic moment. A public inquiry revealed previously underreported debt of approximately $13 billion, attributed to the former administration. This revelation has shaken the confidence of financial partners and complicated discussions with the International Monetary Fund.
Managing this debt is among the major disagreements between Faye and Sonko. Senegal must restore its financial credibility, protect purchasing power, and maintain investments, all while avoiding a political standoff that could block urgent decisions. A prolonged governance crisis could increase financing costs and deter investors.
- For Senegalese citizens: the priority remains the cost of living, employment, and the realization of promises of change.
- For investors: the stability of institutions and the debt strategy become central.
- For the Assembly: the PASTEF majority can slow down reforms or threaten the government.
- For West Africa: Senegal’s evolution will be observed as a regional democratic test.
A Political Duel with an Uncertain Outcome
The launch of the presidential party is already preparing for the next electoral battles. Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to transform his role into a sustainable territorial force by attracting mayors, young professionals, and figures from other parties. Ousmane Sonko can respond by mobilizing the historical base of PASTEF and presenting his camp as the guardian of the program elected in 2024.
The immediate risk is that of a conflictual cohabitation without a clear mechanism for cooperation. A motion of censure, blocked legislation, or a constant mobilization war could paralyze public action. However, the competition may also clarify responsibilities: each leader will now have to defend their own choices instead of hiding behind the ambiguity of the duo.
Why the World Should Watch Dakar
Senegal remains a major democratic reference in a region marked by coups, military transitions, and distrust of institutions. How this split is managed will matter far beyond Dakar. If the conflict remains institutional, pluralistic, and peaceful, the country can demonstrate that major political fractures can be resolved through the ballot box and Parliament.
France, the European Union, Gulf States, and African partners will also be monitoring the country’s economic trajectory. Dakar plays an important diplomatic role, has new energy ambitions, and maintains dense relations with its diaspora. A prolonged paralysis would have consequences for investments, infrastructure projects, and Senegal’s regional influence.
July 25, 2026, will thus be remembered as the day the separation became irreversible. Bassirou Diomaye Faye now has his own party. Ousmane Sonko retains a parliamentary majority and a formidable popular base. Between them lies a fragile economy, immense expectations, and a country that had elected their unity. The next question is no longer whether the duo will survive, but which of the two will convince Senegalese citizens that they still embody the true promise of change.
Sources
- Associated Press â launch of Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s party and split from Ousmane Sonko, July 25, 2026
- Senegalese Press Agency â press review before the launch, July 25, 2026
- Le Monde â the political emancipation of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, July 9, 2026
- Associated Press â PASTEF’s government boycott and risk of blockage, June 2, 2026
