Senegal’s Pastef Party to Elect Ousmane Sonko as Leader for Second Term

The Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité (Pastef) will hold its first-ever national elective congress in Dakar on June 6-7, 2026. The historic gathering will center on electing the party’s president and charting its political roadmap for the coming years. As anticipation builds for the 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential race, the party’s leadership renewal has taken center stage.

The High Authority for Party Regulation (Harp) recently released the final list of eligible candidates for the party presidency. Following a thorough review of all submissions, the outcome reflects a clear outcome: Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is the sole candidate for his own re-election—a result widely anticipated by both party members and political observers. Meanwhile, applications from seven individuals were deemed inadmissible due to missing documentation or procedural irregularities that could not be corrected after the submission deadline of May 20.

Under Sonko’s leadership, the upcoming congress will not only formalize his continued stewardship of the party but also define the strategic priorities that will guide Pastef in the run-up to the 2027 elections and beyond. With the country’s political landscape evolving, this internal vote marks a pivotal moment for Senegal’s opposition movement and its ambitions on the national stage.

Key Takeaways from the Pastef Leadership Process

• Ousmane Sonko confirmed as the sole candidate for re-election as president of Pastef.
• Seven applications were rejected due to incomplete documentation or late-stage irregularities.
• The June 2026 congress will set the party’s agenda ahead of the 2027 local and 2029 presidential elections.
• The event highlights the growing influence of Pastef within Senegal’s political arena.