The political landscape in Senegal has been reshaped with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s official launch of his own political party, marking a definitive split from his former ally Ousmane Sonko.

Once a key figure within the Pastef party led by Sonko, Faye has now established the Party of Republican Patriots (PPR), formalizing a long-anticipated division within the political sphere. This move comes at a critical juncture, with Senegal grappling with severe economic challenges, particularly a mounting debt crisis.

In the weeks leading up to the launch, a wave of defections from the Pastef party to Faye’s camp was observed. Several regional leaders and youth section members from Pastef made the switch, while key figures from the opposition Alliance for the Republic also joined forces with Faye.

Faye and Sonko initially rose to power together in 2024 under the Pastef banner, an acronym standing for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité. However, their alliance has since crumbled over fundamental disagreements, particularly regarding negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amid the country’s pressing debt crisis.

The establishment of the PPR signals the beginning of a high-stakes political confrontation between former allies. This rivalry is expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 local elections and could significantly influence the 2029 presidential race.