Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Moves to Create New Presidential Party

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is preparing to launch a political party dedicated to his leadership. He has tasked senior adviser Aminata Touré with organising a working group to set up the party, a step that follows the recent dismissal of Ousmane Sonko from the premiership and the emergence of a co‑habitation with Sonko now heading the National Assembly.

The movement Le Sénégal En Mouvement vers l’Excellence (SEME‑JI KOOM KOOM), led by Dr Serigne Guèye Diop, announced its merger into the forthcoming presidential party, citing popular support from a large meeting in Mbour. The UNDP/Yemale party also voiced approval of the new formation. The initiative faces constitutional challenges, as a recent reform prohibits the head of state from heading a political party, prompting a planned referendum to resolve the dispute.

The development occurs amid a broader political crisis, including the discovery of an undeclared $13 billion public debt that led the IMF to suspend aid. The creation of the party is viewed as a bid by President Faye to consolidate his political base and maintain stability in Senegal.