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Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has begun plans to establish a new political party, signalling a deepening split with former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko ahead of key constitutional reforms and the 2027 local elections.

A coalition backing the president said Faye has tasked senior adviser Aminata Touré with leading the formation of the new political movement, marking his clearest break yet from the ruling Pastef party.

Relations between Faye and Sonko have deteriorated in recent months, culminating in Sonko’s dismissal as prime minister in May. Sonko now serves as Speaker of the National Assembly, where he is pushing constitutional reforms, including a proposal barring a sitting president from leading a political party.

Although lawmakers have approved the amendments, Faye has opted to submit them to a national referendum instead of signing them into law. A date for the vote has yet to be announced.

The growing rivalry comes as Senegal faces economic challenges linked to revelations that the previous administration misreported public debt figures, with the upcoming referendum and 2027 local elections expected to test the political strength of both leaders.