Senegal’s political landscape shifted on Saturday as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched his own political party, the Kiray or Republican Patriots, according to africanews.com. The move formalizes a growing rift with his former ally Ousmane Sonko, who leads the ruling Pastef party.

Faye and Sonko rose to power together in 2024 under Pastef’s banner, campaigning on promises to create jobs for youth, fight corruption, and secure a larger share of revenue from Senegal’s oil, gas, and mineral wealth. However, their alliance unravelled amid disputes over key policy decisions, particularly how to approach negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a loan program as the country faces a severe debt crisis.

Earlier this year, Faye dismissed Sonko as prime minister. Sonko’s party retained its large majority in parliament, and he was elected president of the National Assembly soon after. In May, a new prime minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, was appointed, but the Cabinet was formed without any ministers from Pastef after Sonko announced his party would not participate in the government.

In the weeks leading up to the launch of Faye’s Kiray party, a growing number of Pastef officials resigned to join his camp. Several members of the opposition party Alliance for The Republic have also joined the president’s movement, including regional leaders and members of its youth wing.

The two men are widely expected to face each other in the 2029 presidential election. The formation of Faye’s new party sets up a political showdown that is likely to play out in local elections in 2027 and could shape the campaign for the 2029 presidential race.

Since taking office, the country’s debt burden has worsened after officials discovered that the previous administration had underreported billions of dollars in borrowing. The promises made during the 2024 campaign have grown harder to deliver amid the economic challenges.