Senegal president launches new party Kiiraay amid political shift

On a recent Saturday in Dakar, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye unveiled his newly formed political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, signaling a clear break from his former ally and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The name Kiiraay, meaning “protection” or “shield” in Wolof, reflects the party’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and republican values.

The transformation of the coalition Diomaye Président, which propelled Mr. Faye to the presidency in 2024, into Kiiraay marks a strategic shift in Senegal’s political landscape. Addressing a crowd of several hundred supporters, the President framed the new party as a movement rooted in “Republic, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and labor,” positioning it as the dominant force in Senegal’s political arena. With the slogan “La Patrie d’abord” (Nation First), the party aims to unite citizens around a shared vision of progress and governance.

The birth of Kiiraay follows months of escalating tensions between President Faye and Mr. Sonko, once close collaborators who jointly rose to power under the Pastef banner. Their partnership unraveled due to disputes over debt management and institutional reforms, culminating in Mr. Sonko’s removal from office in May. Though he retains his roles as Speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the Pastef—currently the majority party in Parliament—his influence at the executive level has diminished, setting the stage for intensified political competition.