The president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has officially launched his new political formation, ‘KIIRAAY – Les Patriotes Républicains’, on Saturday, July 25, at Dakar, marking a significant step in the country’s political landscape after his split with the PASTEF party led by his ex-mentor Ousmane Sonko.
Unveiled during the general assembly held at an hotel on the beach, the new party adopts the slogan ‘La Patrie d’abord’, emphasizing a centered approach to defend national interests, strengthen republican institutions, and consolidate the state of law.
In Wolof, ‘Kiiraay’ means ‘that which protects’, a choice presented by the initiators as the symbol of a political formation destined to accompany the president’s governance project and bring together those who support his vision for transforming Senegal.
Following the general assembly, delegates unanimously elected Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the party’s head, changing his political stance after leaving the leadership positions in Pastef at the beginning of his presidential term.
A resolution read by Aminata Touré, supervisor-general of the former coalition Diomaye President, stated that KIIRAAY was formed by merging 437 parties, movements, and associations united around a common project aiming to support the president’s reforms and development ambitions for the country.
Internationally, the emergence of this new formation is closely watched by partners, investors, and development actors. As Senegal continues to implement its Vision Sénégal 2050 strategy, stability in institutions and governance clarity remain key factors to boost market confidence, attract investments, and solidify international partnerships.
The launch of KIIRAAY thus opens a new chapter in Senegalese politics, likely to redefine the balance within the president’s majority party and opposition as upcoming elections approach, influencing the framework for future economic and institutional reforms in the country.
