Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launches Kiiraay – The Republican Patriots

Bassirou Diomaye Faye Kiiraay Ousmane Sonko Senegal political split

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally launched a new political party, Kiiraay – The Republican Patriots, at a ceremony in Dakar on 26 July 2024. The name Kiiraay, meaning “shield” or “protection” in Wolof, is promoted as an “open house” that will be guided by ethics, transparency and a commitment to serve all Senegalese.

The launch marks the definitive break between Faye and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko. Sonko was dismissed from the premiership in May 2024 and subsequently elected president of the National Assembly, while retaining leadership of the PASTEF party that won 130 of the 165 parliamentary seats in the 2024 election. The split comes amid Senegal’s severe fiscal strain: public debt is projected to reach 119 % of GDP by the end of 2024 and the International Monetary Fund has suspended a $1.8 billion credit programme because of previously undisclosed borrowing.

Faye also assumed the one‑year chairmanship of the ECOWAS Council of Heads of State, underscoring the regional dimension of his new political platform.

Entities: Bassirou Diomaye Faye · International Monetary Fund · Kiiraay – The Republican Patriots · Ousmane Sonko · PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity) · Pastef

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 6 SOURCES] President Faye dismissed Ousmane Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the government in May 2024. (supported)
[● 6 SOURCES] The PASTEF coalition holds 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal's parliament. (supported)
[● 3 SOURCES] The launch of the Kiiraay party formalised the split between President Faye and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko. (cab4a507-c9e8-44ee-861e-bfd9f3966ece, 5e819467-0297-4015-81d9-f8c106aae6a4, d8553a8a-7aed-4f06-9f6d-74903b5c1a3c)
[● 6 SOURCES] After his dismissal, Ousmane Sonko was elected chair of Senegal's National Assembly. (supported)
[● 3 SOURCES] President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched a new political party called Kiiraay‑The Republican Patriots in Dakar. (cab4a507-c9e8-44ee-861e-bfd9f3966ece, 5e819467-0297-4015-81d9-f8c106aae6a4, d8553a8a-7aed-4f06-9f6d-74903b5c1a3c)
[● 6 SOURCES] Senegal's public debt was projected to reach 119% of GDP by the end of 2024. (supported)
[● 6 SOURCES] The International Monetary Fund suspended a $1.8 billion credit programme for Senegal because of undisclosed public debt. (multiple articles)
[● 6 SOURCES] The launch formalised the split between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former ally Ousmane Sonko. (supported)
[● 6 SOURCES] President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched a new political party named Kiiraay – The Republican Patriots. (supported)
[● 6 SOURCES] Faye described Kiiraay as an “open house” guided by ethics and transparency. (supported)
[● 10 SOURCES] Ousmane Sonko was dismissed as prime minister by President Faye in May 2024 and later elected president of the National Assembly. (multiple articles)
[● 2 SOURCES] President Faye became the one‑year president of the ECOWAS Council of Heads of State in November 2024. (multiple articles)