President Faye unveiled his new political entity, « Kiiraay », a Wolof word meaning « protection » or « shield », during a conference held at a prominent Dakar hotel. Hundreds of his enthusiastic supporters, unable to fit inside the conference hall, waited outside in the scorching heat. They proudly displayed placards and wore decorative scarves emblazoned with « Vive Diomaye ». Announcing the formation of this new party, whose motto is « Patriotes républicains » (Republican Patriots), President Faye emphasized its foundation on « the republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and work ». Among those gathered outside was Mamo Khady Sall, 43, who traveled from Yeumbeul, a Dakar suburb, with a group of 15 other women. She lauded Faye as a « man of peace » and openly expressed her strong disapproval of Ousmane Sonko, even refusing to utter his name.

Ousmane Sonko had previously garnered significant support from young Senegalese citizens through his pan-Africanist rhetoric, particularly after a protracted power struggle with former President Macky Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024. Both Sonko and Faye had campaigned on a platform of profound change, promising economic transformation, social justice, and a vigorous fight against corruption. However, after two years in power, it became apparent that the desired changes were not achievable within the existing framework of the Pastef party.

« Kiiraay is now the majority party in this country, » President Faye declared to his supporters, highlighting the presence of numerous mayors, sector leaders, and prominent civil society figures at the rally. Several officials and activists from the Pastef party have recently announced their resignations, opting to join the presidential camp. The president’s communication team indicates that the new party plans to hold its inaugural congress following the country’s summer rainy season. Bassirou Diomaye Faye largely owes his presidency to Ousmane Sonko, his former mentor, who was widely expected to assume the head of state himself but was disqualified from the 2024 presidential election in this West African nation due to a defamation conviction.

The two leaders subsequently fell out over differing approaches to tackling Senegal’s substantial public debt and various other policy matters. On May 22, Bassirou Diomaye Faye removed Ousmane Sonko from his position as Prime Minister. Sonko’s allies swiftly responded by naming him president of the National Assembly, and he remains the undisputed leader of Pastef, which commands 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal’s unicameral parliament. In late June, the National Assembly passed legislation aimed at curtailing presidential powers, notably by prohibiting the head of state from leading a political party or coalition. However, the Constitutional Council invalidated this measure less than two weeks later.