The High Authority for Party Regulation (HARP) within PASTEF-Les Patriotes officially commenced the election process for the party’s president on May 14, 2026. As stipulated in decision n°001/2026/HARP, the period for submitting candidacies began on May 15 and will conclude at noon on May 20, 2026.
An open process following presidential concerns
The recent decision does not grant any preferential treatment to the incumbent president, Ousmane Sonko. Instead, it formally opens the leadership contest to all factions within the party, allowing the current Prime Minister the opportunity to seek another term but without ensuring his automatic return to the organization’s helm.
This formalization of competition directly reflects public statements made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who previously criticized the party for being excessively «personalized.» By establishing an open and regulated procedure, HARP directly addresses this critique, simultaneously raising crucial questions about PASTEF’s leadership during a pivotal period.
When recently questioned about the party’s potential candidate for the 2029 presidential election, Diomaye Faye indicated that any nomination would depend on the outcomes of the upcoming congress, stressing that the candidate issue remained undecided internally. This current election for the party’s top position serves as an essential preliminary step before that broader debate can unfold.
A tight deadline for leadership hopefuls
The timeline established by HARP is stringent: prospective candidates have a mere five working days to compile and submit their applications, utilizing a standardized declaration form appended to the decision. HARP’s deliberation on this matter concluded during a special session held on May 14, 2026.
The result of this crucial internal ballot will determine who officially represents PASTEF leading up to the next congress, an event where the party’s nomination for the 2029 presidential election is expected to be finalized.
