Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally introduced his own political party on Saturday, a move that solidifies a significant rupture with his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. This development marks a new chapter in a growing power struggle as the nation navigates a challenging debt crisis.
The establishment of the Republican Patriots party confirms a division that has been intensifying for months between the two leaders. Both men ascended to power together in 2024 under the banner of the Pastef party—an acronym for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité. In the period leading up to this official launch, numerous Pastef officials, including regional leaders and youth wing members, resigned from the organization to align themselves with Faye’s movement. Additionally, several figures from the opposition Alliance for The Republic have joined the president's new camp.
The political alliance between Faye and Sonko, which was central to their success in the 2024 presidential election, began to unravel following disagreements over major policy decisions. A primary point of contention involved the approach to negotiations with the International Monetary Fund regarding a loan program, which became increasingly difficult to manage after officials discovered that the previous administration had underreported billions of dollars in borrowing.
Earlier this year, Faye dismissed Sonko from his position as prime minister. Despite this, Sonko’s party maintained a substantial majority in parliament, and he was subsequently elected president of the National Assembly. In May, Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new prime minister, and a new Cabinet was formed the following month. This government does not include any ministers from Pastef, as Sonko declared that his party would not participate.
This political showdown is expected to influence upcoming local elections in 2027 and will likely shape the campaign landscape for the 2029 presidential race.
