Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially launched his own political party, 'Kiiraay', sealing a public break with his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
Key points
- The new party 'Kiiraay', meaning 'protection' or 'shield' in Wolof, was unveiled in Dakar with the slogan 'Republican Patriots'.
- Faye and Ousmane Sonko previously belonged to the PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity) party, which brought Faye to power in 2024.
- Relations between the two leaders deteriorated following Faye's ascension, leading to Sonko's removal as prime minister in May.
- Analysts warn that the political split could trigger national instability, heighten tensions, or lead to a dissolution of the National Assembly.
Why it matters
The formation of President Faye's new party creates a major political rift with the ruling PASTEF majority, threatening potential institutional instability and shifting the country's political landscape ahead of local elections.
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