Senegal politics: sonko reclaims pastef as diomaye leads alone

Less than two years into their joint leadership, the political alliance between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko has dissolved. Following months of escalating tensions, the Senegalese president recently dismissed his prime minister, marking a definitive break between the two figures.

Over the weekend, Ousmane Sonko solidified his control over the Pastef party by securing re-election as its leader during the first party congress since its inception. This development raises critical questions about the future of Senegal’s reform agenda, the shifting dynamics of its political landscape, and the potential implications for the 2029 elections.

The power struggle has left observers questioning which faction will ultimately shape the electorate’s expectations for change. With Sonko’s return to the helm of Pastef, the party now faces a pivotal moment in defining its direction and reconnecting with its base ahead of upcoming challenges.