Following the constitutive general assembly of Kiiraay – Les Patriotes Républicains held on Saturday, July 25, at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar, the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko is managing both departures among its cadres and linguistic controversies surrounding the new presidential party’s name, according to verified reporting.
The launch of Kiiraay brought internal party departures into public view as several officials and members announced their resignations to join the presidential camp. Among them, Déthié Diouf dissolved his own political formation entirely to rally behind the new structure created by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
To counter this momentum, Pastef engaged in a communications offensive. The party-aligned daily newspaper Yoor Yoor minimized the defections in its Friday front-page coverage, characterizing the exits as “a few dozen resignations of personalities” while contrasting them against what it described as a wave of ongoing adhesions to Pastef.
Institutional Majority and Defections Among Leaders
Despite these departures, Pastef retains a decisive institutional advantage by controlling 130 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly. This legislative majority remains intact for now, providing a robust power base as the political landscape shifts.
Did You Know? The structural process for the presidential party has been underway since November 2025 under the supervision of Aminata Touré.
The most pressing challenge involves ministers and majority officials who were previously members of various formations. These officials now face a clear choice to clarify their loyalties by exclusively joining the new presidential structure or maintaining their allegiance to Ousmane Sonko and Pastef.
Linguistic Polemics Over the Party Name
Beyond membership shifts, the name of the new party has triggered a semantic debate. Officially, “Kiiraay” means “protection” or “shield” in Wolof, a definition emphasized by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who described the movement as a home welcoming all citizens, supported by most reporting sources including AFP.
Conversely, a competing linguistic interpretation reported by Mediapart suggests the term refers to things kept hidden or concealed, arguing that the proper Wolof term for protection is “Kiirlaay.” Critics within Ousmane Sonko’s circle have leveraged this distinction to mock the choice, with Pastef representatives noting it could cause significant confusion.
Upcoming Structuring and Political Outlook
According to the communication team of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Kiiraay plans to hold its official congress following the rainy season. Prior to that gathering, the presidential party is expected to launch a nationwide tour aimed at establishing its presence across local communes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The constitutive general assembly took place on Saturday, July 25, at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar.
According to the party’s presentation and most reporting sources, it means “protection” or “shield,” intended to represent a home for all citizens.
Pastef controls 130 of the 165 total seats in the National Assembly.
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