President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is moving to establish his own political party, according to a coalition supporting him, signaling a deepening rift with his former prime minister. Faye has tasked senior adviser Aminata Toure with leading a team to build the new party. Until now, Faye has belonged to the ruling Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko, whom he removed as prime minister in May after months of friction. Their rivalry has intensified over proposed constitutional reforms. Sonko, now speaker of parliament, has pushed constitutional changes, including a measure that prevents a sitting president from leading a political party. While lawmakers approved the reforms, Faye opted to submit them to a referendum. The political divide comes as Senegal confronts a debt crisis inherited from the previous administration and both camps prepare for pivotal local elections in 2027.
Reuters