PASTEF faces political shifts and digital competition in Senegal

The political landscape in Senegal is undergoing a shift as the PASTEF party faces challenges regarding its coalition management and digital dominance. Historically, PASTEF has moved through various alliances, including JOTNA and Yewwi Askan Wi, often resulting in ruptures where former partners are labeled as ‘traitors’ following disagreements or shifts toward new formations like APTE.

Simultaneously, the party’s long-standing monopoly on political communication via social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X is being challenged. The emergence of the Kiiraay-Les Patriotes Républicains movement has introduced new competition in the digital sphere, utilizing similar aggressive narrative tactics to counter PASTEF’s messaging. This shift indicates that the party no longer holds exclusive control over the virtual public discourse in Senegal.