# Senegal political party shifts and internal tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-political-party-shifts-and-expansion
> Updated: 2026-09-29T08:00:44.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 5.

The political landscape in Senegal is undergoing shifts as the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party expands its membership. In the Podor department, the party has seen high demand for membership cards, prompting an expansion of card-selling operations across multiple communes.

This growth coincides with the reorganization of ‘Le Grand Parti’ following the departure of its leader, El Hadji Malick Gakou, who joined PASTEF. While some departments of Le Grand Parti chose to follow Gakou, others decided to maintain their existing organization. Subsequently, former members of Le Grand Parti, including those led by Dr. Bérouba Guissé, have begun officially joining PASTEF in areas such as Dahra Djoloff and the Linguère department.

A dispute has emerged between PASTEF and the Minister of Infrastructure and Land Transport, Abdoulahad Ndiaye, concerning the control of the party’s digital assets. Minister Ndiaye claimed during a television appearance that he retains control over the domain name jotna.org, which he stated he purchased and developed, suggesting he could block the online sale of party membership cards. PASTEF responded by labeling the Minister’s claims as “fantastical and lying” and “pure fabrication,” asserting that pastef.org is its “exclusive and inalienable property.”

Internal tensions have also surfaced within the party. Communications official Sadikh Traoré denied allegations that the party failed to support Ousseynou Fall, a former corporal detained at Rebeuss prison, stating that legal assistance was provided via an attorney. Additionally, party coordinator Thierno Ali Sy noted growing disillusionment among some members toward President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, suggesting a perceived shift in political trajectory and divergences between the President and Ousmane Sonko.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: PASTEF faces political shifts and digital competition in Senegal

Senegal's PASTEF party is facing internal political friction over shifting coalitions and a loss of its once-dominant control over digital political communication and social media narratives.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pastef-faces-political-shifts-and-digital-competition-in-senegal

### 2026-09-23: Pastef party faces internal tensions and accusations in Senegal

Internal friction grows within Senegal’s Pastef party as members voice disillusionment with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and deny allegations of neglecting party members in legal matters.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pastef-party-faces-internal-tensions-and-accusations-in-senegal

### 2026-09-15: PASTEF denies Minister Ndiaye's claims of controlling party digital assets

Senegal's PASTEF party has denied claims by Minister Abdoulahad Ndiaye that he controls the party's digital domains and can block the online sale of membership cards.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minister-abdou-lahad-ndiaye-and-pastef-clash-over-domain-ownership

### 2026-09-10: Ousmane Sonko's Pastef party gains members in Dahra Djoloff

Former Grand Parti members in Dahra Djoloff have joined the Pastef party, while authorities debunked false rumors of an espionage investigation involving Ousmane Sonko.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ousmane-sonkos-pastef-party-gains-members-in-dahra-djoloff

### 2026-09-05: Senegal political shifts as PASTEF expands and Le Grand Parti reorganizes

Senegal's political scene sees PASTEF-Les Patriotes expanding membership in Podor while Le Grand Parti reorganizes following leader El Hadji Malick Gakou's move to join PASTEF.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senegal-political-shifts-as-pastef-expands-and-le-grand-parti-reorganizes

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Cite as: Senegal political party shifts and internal tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/senegal-political-party-shifts-and-expansion