Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has begun transforming his political coalition into a formal party following his split with former ally Ousmane Sonko. The new organization, scheduled to be officially established on July 25, aims to strengthen Faye’s nationwide support and consolidate his political base ahead of the 2029 presidential election. Faye rose to power in 2024 backed by both his own coalition and Sonko’s Pastef party, but their alliance unraveled after months of disagreements over economic policy and governance, culminating in Sonko’s dismissal as prime minister. Sonko, who remains the leader of the Pastef party, now serves as speaker of parliament and, as a result, continues to wield significant political influence. The emergence of rival political camps marks a new phase in Senegal’s evolving political landscape, setting the stage for heightened competition between both leaders.
Bloomberg