Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launches new Kiiraay party
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has launched a new political party called Kiiraay, meaning "protection" or "shield" in Wolof. This development follows a public disagreement with his former mentor and ex-prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, who leads the Pan-Africanist party Pastef. Both men were previously members of Pastef, which brought Faye to power in 2024. Faye appointed Sonko as prime minister upon becoming president, but their relationship deteriorated, leading to Sonko's dismissal in May. The new Kiiraay party, with the slogan "Republican Patriots," was unveiled at an assembly in Dakar, with President Faye stating it is built on "republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity and work." Supporters expressed hope that the new party would allow Faye to implement his promised changes, including economic transformation, social justice, and a fight against corruption. While Kiiraay's electoral strength is yet to be proven, several Pastef officials and activists have reportedly resigned to join the presidential camp. Faye's communication team announced that the new party plans to hold a congress after the summer rainy season. Faye's presidency is largely attributed to Sonko, who was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. The two leaders reportedly disagreed on policy issues, including how to address Senegal's substantial public debt. Sonko's allies subsequently appointed him speaker of parliament, and he remains the leader of P
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