DAKAR — A defining moment in Senegal’s political landscape has just unfolded. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye decisively severed ties with his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, by launching his own political party: Kiiraay—meaning “shield” in Wolof.
« Kiiraay is the majority party in this country, » declared President Faye to a crowd of jubilant supporters during the inaugural gathering.
The new party, Kiiraay, operates under the banner of « Patriotes républicains » (Republican Patriots). Its foundation rests on five core principles: the Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and diligence, as outlined by the Head of State.
Reflecting on the political journey that led to this break, the President invoked a powerful agricultural metaphor to underscore his renewed commitment:
« Public life has its sowing and reaping, its seasons of hope and disappointment (…) Today, I stand in the fields. Dear Republican Patriots, we now plant a new seed in Senegalese soil, » he declared.
Party officials confirmed that a foundational congress will convene after the summer rains. This gathering will shape Kiiraay’s strategic vision and finalize its leadership structure, marking a pivotal shift in Senegal’s political terrain.
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