Senegal has entered a new political chapter. Following the dismissal of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on May 22, 2026, amid deep political disagreements and escalating tensions within the executive branch, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially launched his new political party, the Patriotes républicains, on July 25, 2026, in Dakar. This move signals a significant reshaping of Senegal’s political landscape.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Head of State emphasized that this new political formation aims to unite citizens around core values of patriotism, grassroots engagement, and dedication to Senegal’s development.

The establishment of this party follows President Faye’s decision to step down from the leadership of the Pastef party (Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité) after his presidential election, in accordance with his commitment to separate the presidency from party leadership.

Local reports indicate that the creation of the new party is the culmination of a restructuring process initiated in November 2025 to build a new political platform open to all components of the presidential majority.

Aminata Touré, General Supervisor of the Diomaye Président coalition, announced during the founding assembly that 437 parties and movements have agreed to merge into this new political formation.

The launch of the Patriotes républicains comes at a time of growing political divergence between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, who currently serves as President of the National Assembly and was once a close ally within the Pastef movement.

This initiative follows the Constitutional Council’s decision in early July, which declared unconstitutional the legislative process behind the constitutional reform bill adopted by the National Assembly, following a challenge by the President of the Republic.