Senegal’s Faye plans to form his own political party

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has begun efforts to establish his own political party, a move that signals a deeper split with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko after months of political disagreements.

A coalition aligned with the president said Faye has asked senior adviser Aminata Touré to head a task force responsible for setting up the new party. The initiative is expected to influence the country’s political landscape ahead of local elections due in 2027.

Faye won the presidency in 2024 on the ticket of the ruling Pastef party, led by Sonko. The two leaders were once close political allies, but their relationship has steadily deteriorated over differences on governance and proposed constitutional reforms.

Sonko was removed as prime minister in May and later became Speaker of the National Assembly. He has since backed constitutional amendments that would bar a sitting president from leading a political party. Parliament approved the proposals, but Faye has decided they should instead be put to a national referendum before taking effect.

The government has not announced when the referendum will be held.

The political divide comes as Senegal seeks to address the economic impact of revelations that the previous administration significantly understated the country’s public debt. The government is working to restore investor confidence while pursuing broader economic reforms.

Analysts say the creation of a new political party could intensify competition between Faye and Sonko, although it remains unclear how the rivalry will influence the country’s political landscape before the 2027 local elections.

SOURCE: Reuters