Senegal's President Faye Launches New Party After Dismissing PM

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched a new political party on Saturday, named Kiiraay, after a falling out with his former mentor and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Sonko led the Pan-African party Pastef, which had been the political vehicle for both leaders and brought Faye to power in 2024. Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister shortly after taking office, but their relationship soured, culminating in Sonko's dismissal in May.

Faye introduced the new party, Kiiraay, meaning "protection" or "shield" in the Wolof language, at a large rally of supporters in Dakar. Hundreds of supporters, unable to fit inside the hotel conference hall, waited outside in the intense heat, carrying banners and wearing decorative scarves inscribed with 'Vive Diomaye' ('Long Live Diomaye').

Announcing the new party's formation, Faye stated it is built on the principles of the republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and hard work. Sonko would likely have become president if he had not been barred from the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. The leaders' relationship began to fracture over disagreements on how Senegal should handle its substantial public debt and other policy issues.

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The party is built on the principles of the republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and hard work.