Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally launched his own political party on Saturday, solidifying a significant rupture with his former ally Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the ruling Pastef party. The creation of Faye's Republican Patriots party makes official a split that has been developing for months between the two leaders, who rose to power together in 2024 under the Pastef banner.
The alliance between Faye and Sonko, forged in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, has unraveled due to disputes over key policy decisions, particularly concerning negotiations with the International Monetary Fund regarding a loan program amid a severe debt crisis. Senegal's debt burden has worsened since the current administration took office, following the discovery that the previous government had underreported billions of dollars in borrowing.
Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister earlier this year. Despite this, Sonko's party maintained a substantial majority in parliament, and he was subsequently elected president of the National Assembly. In May, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo was appointed as the new prime minister, and a new cabinet was formed in June. Notably, no ministers from Pastef were included in the new government, after Sonko announced his party's intention not to participate.
In the weeks preceding the launch of Faye's new party, a number of Pastef officials, including regional leaders and members of its youth wing, resigned to join Faye's movement. Several members from the opposition party Alliance for The Republic have also joined Faye.
Faye and Sonko had campaigned together in 2024 with promises focused on creating jobs for young people, combating corruption, and securing a larger share of revenue from Senegal's oil, gas, and mineral wealth. However, delivering on these pledges has become increasingly challenging due to the country's worsening debt situation.
The formation of Faye's Republican Patriots party establishes a political confrontation between the former allies, likely to influence upcoming local elections in 2027 and shape the campaign for the 2029 presidential race.