A wave of high-profile departures from Pastef, including former allies of Ousmane Sonko, signals deepening divisions following the launch of a new presidential party that is reshaping Senegal’s political landscape.
What began as scattered exits has rapidly escalated into a mass exodus. Seasoned party cadres, rising stars, and heads of public agencies are resigning from Pastef at an unprecedented pace. The growing list of defectors points to one overarching explanation: an irreparable rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Assembly President Ousmane Sonko, once the twin pillars of the regime.
Elected together in the historic March 2024 shift that ended decades of dominance by traditional parties, the two leaders symbolized the promise of change. Yet their alliance has collapsed since Ousmane Sonko was removed from the Prime Minister’s office in May 2026, a move that capped months of escalating tensions between the presidency and the prime minister’s team. Though Sonko retained control of the party after becoming Assembly President, Faye moved swiftly to consolidate his grip on state institutions.
The latest and most visible sign of this fracture came in early June when Urban Planning Minister Moussa Bala Fofana stepped down—despite being reappointed for a third term just days earlier. His resignation followed public criticism from Sonko, who accused several ministers of ignoring party directives. Fofana denied acting under presidential orders and expressed respect for his former mentor.
Constitutional reforms ignite further division
On July 3, President Faye escalated the breach by announcing the formation of a new ruling party meant to unify the coalition. The move all but confirmed that the once-united movement had split irrevocably. In parallel, the ‘Diomaye Président’ coalition has accelerated efforts to onboard former Pastef members and rebuild its base.
