Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye forges new political alliance amid tensions with Sonko
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has formally launched a new political movement aimed at uniting supporters behind his leadership. The announcement came during a pivotal four-hour meeting with 306 mayors from all 14 regions of Senegal, all affiliated with the Coalition Diomaye Président. According to an official statement, this initiative seeks to formalize the president’s political base amid shifting power dynamics within the state apparatus.
To solidify this effort, President Faye has tasked Aminata Touré, the coalition’s supervisory leader, with establishing a dedicated committee. This group will be responsible for drafting the organizational and statutory foundations of the new party in the coming weeks, ensuring a seamless transition into a structured political force.
The coalition’s statement frames this move as a logical progression of its commitment to governance, emphasizing that the future party must uphold a cohesive unity around the president. This is particularly critical as Senegal gears up for upcoming electoral challenges, where a unified front could prove decisive.
During the gathering, local officials reaffirmed their backing for the president’s agenda, highlighting his dedication to territorial equity. By prioritizing local governance in public policy, Faye’s approach resonates strongly with municipal leaders who play a key role in implementing national strategies.
This political restructuring unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between President Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. The latter, who stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2026, now serves as Speaker of the National Assembly, where his parliamentary majority grants him significant influence.
Their growing divide crystallized recently with the passage of a constitutional reform by lawmakers on June 29. The amendments include several key provisions: barring 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 is the final adoption process. Sonko advocates for direct enactment by the president, citing established legal precedents, while Faye insists on holding a referendum—though no date has been set—to allow citizens a direct voice in the matter.
