Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially unveiled his new political party, Kiiraay – Les Patriotes républicains, in a landmark move that signals the end of his political alliance with former mentor and ex-Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The launch, which took place on Saturday in Dakar, marks the transformation of the coalition Diomaye Président—the force behind Faye’s rise to the presidency in 2024.

The party’s name, derived from the Wolof word for “protection” or “shield,” reflects its mission to safeguard Senegal’s interests. In a packed gathering of supporters, Faye positioned Kiiraay as a movement rooted in “Republic, ethics, transparency, brotherhood, and diligence,” declaring it the nation’s dominant political force. The slogan La Patrie d’Aborde—”The Fatherland First”—underscores his vision for a unified political front under his leadership.

The birth of Kiiraay follows months of escalating tensions between Faye and Sonko, two key figures who once shared power under the banner of the Pastef party. Disputes over debt management and institutional reforms culminated in Sonko’s removal from office in May. Despite losing his ministerial role, Sonko retains his positions as National Assembly President and head of the Pastef, which holds a parliamentary majority. This sets the stage for intensified political rivalry at Senegal’s highest echelons.