Bassirou Diomaye Faye is preparing to launch a new political party, signaling an increasingly public split with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko as political tensions grow ahead of local elections and a proposed constitutional referendum. A coalition backing President Faye announced on Friday that he had appointed senior adviser Aminata Touré to head a task force responsible for establishing the new political movement. The decision marks the strongest indication yet that Faye is moving away from the ruling Pastef party, which swept to power in 2024 on a reform agenda led by the long-time political alliance between Faye and Sonko.
Relations between the two leaders have deteriorated in recent months, culminating in Faye’s dismissal of Sonko as prime minister in May. Sonko now serves as Speaker of the National Assembly, where he has championed constitutional reforms aimed at reshaping Senegal’s political system. Among the proposed amendments is a provision that would prohibit a sitting president from simultaneously serving as leader of a political party, a measure supporters say would strengthen democratic governance and reduce the concentration of political power.
Although lawmakers approved the constitutional reforms last week, President Faye has chosen to submit the proposals to a national referendum rather than sign them into law directly. Authorities have yet to announce a date for the vote. The referendum is widely expected to become a major political test for both Faye and Sonko, whose once-close partnership helped bring Pastef to power but has since evolved into an increasingly visible rivalry. The political divide comes as Senegal faces economic challenges following revelations that the previous administration underreported the country’s public debt, prompting concerns over fiscal stability and ongoing economic reforms. Analysts say the creation of a new presidential party could significantly reshape Senegal’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 local elections, which are expected to provide the first major measure of support for both rival camps.
