Major shakeup in Pastef: Ousmane Sonko restructures party leadership
In anticipation of its upcoming 2026 convention, Senegal’s opposition party Pastef is undergoing a strategic internal restructuring. Led by Secretary-General Ousmane Sonko, this reorganization targets the party’s training school, aiming to enhance militant education and operational efficiency.
Strategic overhaul for militant training and coordination
The reorganization of Pastef’s training school, as outlined in an internal memorandum from the National Secretariat for Training (under Malick Sy’s supervision), introduces a functional, territorial, and thematic approach to party education. This restructuring seeks to address three core objectives:
- Massification: Expanding training programs to reach a broader base of militants nationwide.
- Professionalization: Elevating the quality and standardization of training curricula.
- Coordination: Improving alignment between local, national, and international party activities.
According to party officials, the new organizational framework will streamline decision-making and strengthen the party’s grassroots engagement ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 congress.
What’s changing in the new structure?
The revamped school will operate under a decentralized model, with regional hubs tailored to local priorities while maintaining central oversight. Key changes include:
- Creation of thematic working groups to address policy and campaign priorities.
- Appointment of regional coordinators to oversee training and militant mobilization.
- Integration of digital tools for remote learning and real-time progress tracking.
Ousmane Sonko’s leadership team frames this as a proactive step to modernize Pastef’s operations, ensuring it remains a formidable force in Senegal’s political landscape.
