Pastef-Les Patriotes faces internal crisis as key members resign amid leadership rift
via SeneNews3 min read
Pastef-Les Patriotes is experiencing an internal crisis marked by a series of resignations from national executives, leaders of the Senegalese Patriotic Youth JPS, and local elected officials. This wave of defections, which accelerated significantly on July 22, 2026, occurs amidst an open rift between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the President of the National Assembly and party leader Ousmane Sonko. President Faye is expected to announce the creation of his own political party on July 25. Prominent national figures have departed, including Dr. El Hadji Mansour Diop, Director General of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, who resigned on July 22, 2026, citing internal abuses, censorship, and a lack of recognition for activists. Other strategic leaders who have resigned include Khouraichi Thiam, Director General of FAISE; Babacar Faye, National Secretary for Electoral Operations; Fatou Kiné Diakhaté, former MONCAP coordinator; and Cheikh Saad-Bouh Diouf, National Coordinator of the Movement of Handicapped Patriots. Dr. Lansana Gagny Sakho, Chairman of the Board of Apix, has also publicly supported the head of state without formally leaving the party. The party's youth structure, JPS, is a focal point of internal dissent, with resignations from Bakary Bass Sakho, National Executive Bureau member, and Ousmane Sonko Jr, National Vice-Coordinator. Territorial coordinations have also seen departures, including Arabietou Diémé in Bignona and Baye Sène in Niakhar. Local officials acro
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The search for Senegal's new national football team coach continues following the dismissal of Pape Thiaw, who was removed after the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup by Belgium. Patrick Vieira was initially considered the frontrunner, with reports indicating advanced discussions with the federation. However, Hervé Renard has now entered the race, according to L'Équipe, adding a new dynamic to the selection process amid ongoing turbulence in Senegalese football. Pape Thiaw's dismissal occurred on the night of July 11-12, 2026, after a unanimous decision by the Senegalese Football Federation FSF following a 14-hour meeting in Dakar. Despite a record of 20 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses in 29 matches, and leading Senegal to a continental title against Morocco, his early World Cup exit led to his removal. Patrick Vieira, born in Dakar and a former French international, co-founded the Diambars academy. He has been without a club since leaving Genoa in November 2025. While discussions are reportedly advanced, some observers view his lack of national team coaching experience as a risk. His appointment would also mark a shift from locally trained coaches like Aliou Cissé and Pape Thiaw to an expatriate. Hervé Renard, known for his extensive experience in African football and with national teams, particularly Tunisia, presents a more experienced option. However, his potential cost is a concern for the FSF, which is reportedly facing financial challenges. Another name, Habib Bey
Idrissa Fall, a Senegalese journalist and former editor-in-chief of the French service of the Voice of America VOA, has passed away. Fall dedicated nearly thirty years to covering major conflicts and political upheavals across Africa, beginning his tenure at VOA in 1992. He gained recognition as one of the most respected African correspondents of his generation. His extensive coverage included civil wars in Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, crises and coups in Niger, rebellions in Côte d'Ivoire and the fall of President Laurent Gbagbo, rebellions in Burundi, and the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Fall achieved several journalistic firsts, such as being the first foreign reporter to enter Gao, Mali, in 2012, while it was under Mujao control. In 1996, he was also the first journalist to access rebel-controlled areas in eastern Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he revealed the existence of Laurent-Désiré Kabila. In 2013, he narrowly escaped death while covering clashes in the Central African Republic. His rigorous and courageous work earned him the "David Burke Distinguished Journalism Award" from the VOA board of directors.
Vozinha, the Cape Verdean goalkeeper and a standout player at the recent World Cup, is set to join Chilean club Colo Colo. The club's president, Anibal Mosa, announced that Vozinha will arrive in Chile in the coming days for medical examinations before his official presentation at the Monumental Stadium. Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Evora Dias, gained significant attention for his heroic performances at 40 years old, particularly in a 0-0 draw against eventual champions Spain during the group stage. He led the Cape Verdean national team to the round of 16, where they took finalists Argentina to extra time in a 3-2 loss. Vozinha has previously played in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova, and Angola, signing his first professional contract at age 26. He will be transferring to Colo Colo from GD Chaves, a team in the Portuguese second division. Mosa noted Vozinha's excellent physical condition as a key factor in his recruitment. His World Cup performances, amplified by Brazilian influencer Casimiro, boosted his Instagram following from 50,000 to nearly 30 million in a few weeks.