Senegal’s diomaye faye Unveils New Party Amid Political Shifts

In a bold move reshaping Senegal’s political landscape, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially declared the formation of a new political party aimed at uniting all factions backing his governance. The announcement followed a four-hour meeting with 306 mayors from Senegal’s 14 regions, all aligned with the Coalition Diomaye Président. This initiative seeks to solidify the president’s support base as the dynamics of power within the state undergo significant transformation.

To execute this vision, President Faye has tasked Aminata Touré, the coalition’s general supervisor, with establishing a dedicated committee. This team’s mandate is to draft the organizational and statutory foundations of the upcoming party with urgency and precision, ensuring a seamless transition into a structured political force.

The coalition’s statement frames this move as a logical progression of its commitment, emphasizing the need for an organic unity centered around the president. This strategic alignment is viewed as essential in preparing for upcoming electoral milestones, where cohesion will be critical to maintaining momentum.

During the gathering, local officials reaffirmed their unwavering support for the president’s agenda, highlighting a shared vision to prioritize territorial equity. They praised the administration’s focus on empowering local governments by placing them at the heart of public policy initiatives, a departure from past practices that often sidelined regional voices.

This political restructuring unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between President Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, who stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2026, now holds the influential position of National Assembly President, commanding a parliamentary majority that grants him substantial leverage.

Their rift deepened following the adoption of a constitutional reform on June 29. The amendments include prohibiting the president from concurrently leading a political party, rebranding the Constitutional Council as a Constitutional Court, and expanding Parliament’s powers. The disagreement now centers on how the reform should be finalized: Sonko advocates for direct presidential promulgation based on legal precedent, while Faye insists on a referendum—a date for which remains undetermined—to allow citizens a direct voice in the decision.