Senegal has witnessed a definitive split between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the ruling Pastef party. This political rift culminates months of growing tensions within the party.

On Saturday, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially launched his own political party, marking a significant shift in Senegal’s political landscape. Formerly a key figure within the Pastef, led by Ousmane Sonko, Faye introduced the Parti des Patriotes Républicains (Party of Republican Patriots), signaling a formal break from the party that once united them.

The timing of this move is critical, as Senegal grapples with a severe debt crisis and heightened political competition. In the weeks leading up to this announcement, a wave of defections from Pastef has reshaped the party’s structure, with regional leaders and youth members switching allegiances to Faye’s new movement. Even members of the opposition Alliance pour la République have joined this growing tide.

Faye and Sonko rose to power together in 2024 under the Pastef banner, which stands for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity). Their alliance, forged to secure the 2024 presidential election, has now unraveled due to deep disagreements over key policy decisions—particularly regarding negotiations with the International Monetary Fund amid the country’s escalating debt crisis.

The launch of Faye’s new party sets the stage for a high-stakes political confrontation with Sonko. This battle is expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 local elections and could significantly influence the 2029 presidential campaign.