The wave of departures from Pastef has intensified, with former allies of Ousmane Sonko joining the exodus, signaling a deepening divide within Senegal’s ruling party.

What began as sporadic resignations among Pastef officials has escalated into a sweeping exodus, drawing in veteran leaders, young activists, and heads of public agencies. The unfolding crisis reveals a widening rift between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, the National Assembly leader and party founder.

The relationship between the two, once the backbone of Senegal’s political transition following the March 2024 elections, has deteriorated sharply since Sonko was removed from the Prime Minister’s office in May 2026. That decision marked the culmination of months of growing tensions between the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s office. While Sonko transitioned to his current legislative role, he retained control of the party, prompting President Faye to assert greater influence over the state apparatus.

The first major public indication of this fracture came in early June, when Minister Moussa Bala Fofana resigned from his Urban Planning portfolio after Sonko publicly accused certain ministers of disregarding party directives. Fofana denied acting on presidential orders, expressing respect for his former mentor despite the public disagreement.

Constitutional changes spark further turmoil

On July 3, President Faye escalated the situation by announcing plans to establish a new unified presidential party. This move has cemented perceptions of an irreparable split between the Presidency and Pastef, the party that originally propelled both men to power. Meanwhile, the ‘Diomaye Président’ coalition has been mobilizing to absorb incoming supporters of the new formation.