Senegal's Faye launches new party after split with Sonko
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Saturday launched a new political party, KIIRAAY, the Republican Patriots, formalising his split with former ally Ousmane Sonko.
Addressing supporters in Dakar, Faye said his oath to serve all Senegalese would remain his foremost commitment.
"No party, not even the one being born today, will ever come before it. The nation is above us. The homeland is above us. That is why the motto of our party, KIIRAAY the Republicans, is 'Homeland First'," he said.
KIIRAAY coordinator Abdoulaye Tine said the party was formed to defend Senegal's institutions, democracy and national unity, adding that the name "KIIRAAY" symbolises protection in Wolof.
Faye came to power in 2024 with Sonko's backing, but their alliance later fractured over economic policy and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund during Senegal's debt crisis. Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister in May, while Sonko later became president of the National Assembly.
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