Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party, Kiiraay, following his split with former ally and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whose Pastef party helped propel him to power in 2024.
Unveiling the party in Dakar over the weekend, Faye said Kiiraay, meaning “protection” or “shield” in Wolof, is founded on the principles of “Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity and work”. He described it as the country’s new majority party, while his supporters gathered in large numbers to celebrate the launch.
The fallout between Faye and Sonko culminated in Sonko’s dismissal as prime minister in May over policy disagreements. Sonko, who now serves as Speaker of Parliament, continues to lead Pastef, which controls 130 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly. Faye’s new party is expected to hold its first congress after Senegal’s summer rainy season.