Faye: Senegal’s president intends to form his own political party

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is planning to create his own political party, a coalition supporting him said, the latest evidence ‌of a lasting rift with his recently ousted prime minister.

Faye has tasked senior adviser Aminata Toure with setting up a task force charged with creating the party, a pro-Faye coalition statement released on Friday evening said.

The move marks the clearest sign yet of a lasting rift between Faye and her former ally, Ousmane Sonko.

Faye has until now been a member of the ruling Pastef party, led by Ousmane Sonko, who was prime minister until Faye ousted him in May, capping months of tensions between the two leaders.

Sonko has since become speaker of the National Assembly, where he has pushed for constitutional reforms that would, among other things, prevent a sitting president from serving as leader of a political party.

Lawmakers voted in favor of the changes last week, but Faye decided to put them to a referendum. ⁠It is unclear when the referendum will take place.

The political upheaval is taking place as Senegal struggles to deal with a crisis stemming from the revelation of misreported debt under the previous government.

The reforms aim for the referendum

Lawmakers approved the constitutional amendments last week, but President Faye decided to put them to a national referendum instead of signing them into law.

The authorities have not yet announced a date for the vote.

The referendum is expected to become a key test of political support for both Faye and Sonko as their rivalry intensifies.

Political rivalry amid economic challenges

The widening political divide comes as Senegal grapples with an economic crisis triggered by revelations that the previous administration misreported public debt levels.

The dispute also takes place ahead of local elections in 2027, which are expected to provide the first major indication of the electoral strength of both camps.

The planned creation of a new presidential party could significantly reshape Senegal’s political landscape and redefine alliances within the country’s ruling establishment.