Bassirou Diomaye Faye Launches Kiiraay Party, Marking Definitive Break with Ousmane Sonko

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the President of Senegal, has officially launched his new political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, marking a definitive break with his former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Speaking to hundreds of supporters in Dakar, the Head of State presented Kiiraay as a movement based on “the Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and hard work,” affirming that it now represents “the majoritarian party in this country.”

The creation of Kiiraay marks the culmination of months of tensions between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, two figures who had together won power under the Pastef banner. Their disagreement, fueled by issues such as debt management and disagreements over institutional reforms, led to M. Sonko’s dismissal in May.

Despite being ousted, M. Sonko remains President of the National Assembly and leader of the Pastef, a major party at the Parliament, which suggests another phase of political rivalry at the top of the State.