The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, inaugurated his new political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, on Saturday in Dakar, signaling a definitive break from his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The party’s name, meaning “protection” or “shield” in Wolof, stems from the transformation of the coalition Diomaye Président, which propelled Mr. Faye to the presidency in 2024.
Addressing hundreds of supporters, the Head of State framed Kiiraay as a movement rooted in “the Republic, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and diligence,” declaring it now “the dominant political force in the country.” The party’s slogan, “The Nation First,” underscores its commitment to uniting around his presidential agenda.
The establishment of Kiiraay follows months of escalating tensions between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, two leaders who jointly rose to power under the Pastef banner. Their disagreements—particularly over debt management and institutional reforms—culminated in Mr. Sonko’s dismissal in May. Despite this, he remains Speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the Pastef, which holds a parliamentary majority, setting the stage for intensified political rivalry at the highest levels of government.
