President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Sénégal officially declared on Friday, July 3, his intention to establish a new political organization. This entity aims to unite all factions supporting his agenda. The announcement followed an extensive four-hour meeting with 306 mayors representing the country’s fourteen regions, all members of the Coalition Diomaye Président. According to an official statement released by the coalition, this initiative seeks to formalize the political backing for the head of state, thereby strengthening his base as power dynamics at the highest levels of government continue to evolve.
To advance this significant undertaking, President Faye has entrusted Aminata Touré, the general supervisor of the Coalition Diomaye Président, with the task of convening a special committee. This committee’s immediate mission is to develop the foundational organizational and statutory frameworks for the upcoming party.
The coalition’s communiqué describes this move as a natural progression of its commitment, stating that the future structure will foster an “organic unity” around the President of the Republic, crucial for navigating forthcoming electoral challenges.
During the gathering, the local elected officials reiterated their unwavering support for the presidential program. They particularly commended the head of state’s dedication to enhancing territorial equity by prioritizing local communities within public policy initiatives.
This strategic political restructuring unfolds against a backdrop of a pronounced divergence between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former ally, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, who departed from the Prime Minister’s office in May 2026, currently holds the influential position of President of the National Assembly, where he maintains considerable sway due to his parliamentary majority.
Their growing disagreements recently became evident concerning the constitutional reform, which deputies adopted on June 29. This legislative text notably stipulates that the President of the Republic cannot simultaneously lead a political party. It also mandates the transformation of the Constitutional Council into a Constitutional Court and expands the prerogatives of the Parliament.
The core of the dispute between the two prominent figures now revolves around the definitive adoption procedure for this reform. Ousmane Sonko advocates for direct promulgation by the head of state, citing established legal precedents, while Bassirou Diomaye Faye prefers to hold a national referendum, allowing citizens to express their views directly. The exact date for this proposed referendum has not yet been determined.
