In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is preparing to launch his own political party, signaling a definitive split from his former ally Ousmane Sonko and their shared political platform, Pastef.
Aminata Touré, the president’s senior advisor, has been tasked with assembling a dedicated team to spearhead this initiative. The move follows a period of mounting tensions between Faye and Sonko, culminating in Faye’s dismissal from his position in May of this year.
Until recently, Faye operated under the Pastef banner, the ruling party led by Sonko, who previously held the role of Prime Minister. The decision to part ways came after months of escalating disagreements, which had begun to strain their political partnership.
Amid these developments, Senegal continues to grapple with the fallout from a financial scandal involving undisclosed debt accumulated during the previous administration. The situation has added urgency to the political realignment taking place.
With local elections slated for 2027, both Faye and Sonko are now positioning themselves for a critical showdown. The outcome of these elections will reveal the extent of their respective support bases across the country, as the rift between them appears irreversible.