Senegal president launches new party amid political tensions with sonko

Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye embarks on political restructuring

In a significant move to consolidate his political base, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has declared the establishment of a new political party. The announcement came during a four-hour meeting with 306 mayors from all fourteen regions of the country, all affiliated with the Coalition Diomaye Président. This initiative aims to formalize the support for the head of state as Senegal’s political landscape undergoes rapid transformation.

The president has entrusted Aminata Touré, the coalition’s general supervisor, with the task of forming a dedicated committee. This group will be responsible for drafting the organizational and statutory foundations of the new party without delay, ensuring it is fully operational in time for upcoming elections.

The coalition’s official statement frames this effort as a logical progression in their commitment, emphasizing the need for an organic unity centered around President Faye. This structure is expected to strengthen his position ahead of future electoral contests.

The mayors, present at the meeting, reaffirmed their unwavering support for the president’s agenda. They particularly praised his dedication to promoting territorial equity by prioritizing local governance in national policy decisions.

Breaking ties with a former ally

This political restructuring unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between President Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, who stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2026, now holds the influential position of President of the National Assembly, where his parliamentary majority continues to shape key decisions.

The rift between the two leaders has intensified following the adoption of a constitutional reform by deputies on June 29. The reform includes several critical changes: prohibiting the president from simultaneously leading a political party, transforming the Constitutional Council into a Constitutional Court, and expanding parliamentary powers.

At the heart of their disagreement lies the method for finalizing this reform. While Ousmane Sonko advocates for direct presidential promulgation based on legal precedent, President Faye insists on holding a referendum—though no date has been set—to allow citizens to directly weigh in on the matter.