Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye to form new political party amid rising tensions

In a significant shift in Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is set to establish his own political party, marking a definitive break from his former ally Ousmane Sonko and their shared party, Pastef.

Leading the charge to formalize this new political entity is Aminata Touré, the president’s senior advisor, who has been tasked with assembling a dedicated working group to oversee its creation.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s departure from the Pastef party follows his dismissal as Prime Minister in May, an event that capped months of escalating tensions between the two former collaborators. The rift has since deepened, underscoring the irreparable nature of their split.

This political upheaval unfolds against a backdrop of economic strain in Senegal, exacerbated by the fallout from a previously undisclosed debt crisis that plagued the previous administration.

The 2027 local elections will serve as a critical barometer for measuring the support each leader commands across the nation. With their alliance irrevocably severed, both figures are now positioning themselves strategically for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral battle.