Senegal: Bassirou Diomaye Faye launches “KIIRAAY”, his new party, and opens a new political phase

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially launched his new political party, “KIIRAAY – The Republican Patriots,” on Saturday, July 25 in Dakar, marking a new stage in the reconfiguration of the Senegalese political landscape after his break with PASTEF, led by his former mentor Ousmane Sonko.

Unveiled during the constituent general assembly held in a hotel in the city, the new party’s motto is “The Nation First,” affirming a focus on defending national interests, strengthening republican institutions, and consolidating the rule of law.

In Wolof language, “Kiiraay” means “that which protects,” a choice that the initiators present as a symbol of a political party intended to support the governance project of the head of state and to unite forces in favor of his vision for transforming Senegal.

At the end of the assembly, delegates unanimously elected Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the president of the new party. This decision marks a change in his political positioning after leaving leadership positions in PASTEF at the beginning of his presidential term.

According to the resolution read by Aminata Touré, general supervisor of the former coalition Diomaye President, the creation of KIIRAAY resulted from the merger of 437 parties, movements, and associations united around a common project to support the reforms initiated by the head of state and the country’s development ambitions.

Beyond its political significance, the birth of this new party is being closely monitored by international partners, investors, and development actors. In a context where Senegal is implementing its Vision Senegal 2050 strategy, institutional stability and governance transparency remain key factors in strengthening market confidence, attracting investments, and consolidating international partnerships.

The launch of KIIRAAY thus opens a new chapter in Senegalese politics, which could redefine the balances within both the presidential majority and the opposition, as the next electoral deadlines approach, while influencing the framework for future economic and institutional reforms in the country.