DAKAR – A significant new chapter has unfolded in Senegalese politics. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye definitively formalized his political separation from his former Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, by officially inaugurating his own political movement, « Kiiraay » (meaning “shield” in Wolof).
Addressing an enthusiastic gathering of supporters at the inaugural event, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared, « Kiiraay is the majority party in this country. »
The new political entity adopts the rallying cry, « Patriotes républicains » (Republican Patriots). According to the head of state, Kiiraay is built upon five fundamental principles: the Republic, ethics, transparency, fraternity, and diligent work.
Acknowledging the journey undertaken and the recent political tensions that culminated in this split, the President of the Republic offered a poignant metaphor to convey his renewed commitment:
« Public life has its moments of sowing and harvesting, alongside its seasons of disappointment (…) Here I am, in the fields. Dear Republican Patriots, today we entrust a new seed to the Senegalese soil », he proclaimed.
Leaders of the nascent political organization have already announced plans for a major founding congress to be held following the conclusion of the summer rainy season. This crucial assembly will serve to establish Kiiraay‘s strategic directions and formalize its organizational structure, marking a pivotal moment as the Senegalese political landscape undergoes an unprecedented reconfiguration.
