Senegal president’s party split sparks political instability

The growing rift between Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has reached an irreversible point. With Faye set to launch his own political party in the coming days, the future of their shared movement, the Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (PASTEF), hangs by a thread.

Analysts question whether Faye’s ambitions will materialize. The president commands significant support through his coalition, which includes over 300 mayors out of Senegal’s nearly 600 municipalities, along with full state resources to expand his influence. Yet doubts persist: can he consolidate power without facing resistance? The recent government reshuffle offered a glimpse of his limited leverage within PASTEF.

Faye’s move appears to be a calculated political maneuver. In Senegal, as in much of Africa, ruling elites often dominate the parties that propelled them to power. However, in this case, Sonko, now Speaker of the National Assembly, holds greater sway over PASTEF. Legislative reforms further constrain Faye, including a ban preventing party presidents from holding public office—effectively sidelining him.

The announcement of Faye’s new party underscores a bitter rivalry that risks fracturing the movement further. Beyond personal animosity, the divide threatens to weaken PASTEF’s unity, potentially alienating its base. The consequences could extend beyond internal strife, as the opposition stands to gain from the chaos.

Unaddressed, this power struggle may lead to deeper instability. A snap election, triggered by a possible dissolution of the National Assembly, could plunge Senegal into economic turmoil. Elections are costly, and with the country’s fragile economy, the strain would be severe. Meanwhile, Faye and Sonko’s failure to prioritize governance over infighting risks eroding public trust in their leadership.

The nation, often celebrated as a democratic model in West Africa, now faces a troubling cohabitation—one where personal ambitions overshadow national progress. If both leaders hope to secure their legacies, they must act decisively before the divide deepens irreparably.