Author: Ousmane Tandja

Senegal’s newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken a decisive step in reshaping the country’s political landscape by unveiling his own political party, Kiiraay, on July 25, 2026, in Dakar. The move marks a definitive break from his former mentor and predecessor as Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, who played a pivotal role in propelling Faye to power in 2024. Faye, who appointed Sonko as Prime Minister shortly after his election, found their partnership deteriorating over time. Tensions culminated in Sonko’s removal from office in May of the same year,…

Senegal’s president unveils new party kiiraay: the republican patriots RFI Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10:49 PM UTC Set Yahoo as your preferred source to see our articles on Google. Addressing a packed audience at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially introduced Kiiraay: the Republican Patriots, a new political party rooted in the protection of Senegal’s institutions, values, and future generations. Speaking to thousands of supporters—some gathered inside the hotel’s grand hall while others watched under a tent on the premises—Faye emphasized that national unity…

Maïmouna Dièye’s controversial remarks about Ousmane Sonko spark debate in Khombole A candid remark by Maïmouna Dièye linking Ousmane Sonko to a sacred Islamic invocation has ignited a fierce debate about the blurring of lines between political reverence and religious sanctity in Senegal. The choice of words used by Maïmouna Dièye during a public address in Khombole this past Saturday created palpable discomfort for Ousmane Sonko. The phrase she employed carries deep spiritual significance in Islam, reserved exclusively for the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Maïmouna Dièye’s…

In a bold address marking the launch of his new political party, KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye issued a stern warning to his former prime minister, Ousmane Sonko. His message left little room for interpretation: « Fii, saa fitnë dotufi nanee ñeex » — a Wolof phrase signaling that what was once tolerated would no longer be accepted. The president’s remarks come at a pivotal moment, as political tensions between the two leaders escalate against the backdrop of a shifting majority coalition and the formal establishment…

During a Saturday gathering in Bambey, the leader of Senegal’s Parti Africain de Service au Texte et à l’Équité des Forces (PASTEF), Ousmane Sonko, urged his supporters to remain vigilant against potential provocations aimed at destabilizing the movement. He emphasized that these disturbances could take various forms, some directly targeting his personal leadership. Sonko cautioned that certain actors might attempt to manipulate state institutions to entrap him, sparking tensions among his followers and across the nation. « They will resort to every kind of provocation, » he declared. « Some…

In a significant move reshaping Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has formally introduced his new political formation, KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains, during a landmark event in Dakar on Saturday, July 25. The launch, held during a constitutive general assembly at a local hotel, signals a decisive shift following his departure from the PASTEF, the party once led by his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko. The new party’s motto, « La Patrie d’abord » (The Nation First), underscores its commitment to prioritizing national interests, strengthening republican institutions, and reinforcing…

Senegal politics: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye issues subtle warning to Ousmane Sonko In a solemn address, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye reflected on Senegal’s political tensions, delivering a pointed message that many interpret as a direct challenge to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. During his speech at the constitutive general assembly of his newly formed party at the King Fahd Palace this past Saturday, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye made a striking reference to the lives lost in Senegal’s recent political clashes. His words, widely seen as a veiled critique of Ousmane Sonko,…