Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to establish a new political party aimed at uniting the political forces backing his reform agenda ahead of future elections.

The announcement came during a nearly four-hour meeting with 306 mayors from the “Diomaye Président” Coalition, representing all 14 regions of Senegal, according to a statement released by the coalition and reported by Le Soleil.

During the meeting, President Faye said the new party would strengthen cohesion within his political majority and provide a more structured platform to advance his programme of governance and national transformation.

To kick-start the process, the president instructed the General Supervisor of the “Diomaye Président” Coalition to set up a task force responsible for preparing the foundational framework of the future political party as quickly as possible.

The mayors reaffirmed their commitment to President Faye’s “Project for the Systemic Transformation of Senegal,” describing it as a vision that promotes greater territorial equity and places local governments at the centre of the country’s development agenda.

In its statement, the coalition described the meeting as “historic” and praised the constructive dialogue between the president and local elected officials.

It also pledged to support President Faye as preparations begin for the launch of the new political party.

The decision marks a significant turning point in Senegalese politics, as it further cements President Faye’s political break with his former ally and mentor, Ousmane Sonko, and the ruling African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF).

Once elected on a joint ticket backed by PASTEF, Faye’s move to establish a separate political party is widely seen as formalising the growing political rupture between the two leaders and signalling a new phase in the country’s political landscape ahead of future elections.