Senegal’s Sonko Sets Stage for 2027 Elections with Pastef Congress. Dakar, Senegal — Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of Senegal has been actively preparing for the upcoming 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential vote, convening a series of political meetings over the weekend. His party, Pastef, is set to hold its first congress since its creation in 2014, marking a significant step in the party’s consolidation and institutionalization.
According to local reports, Sonko first met with his coalition, the Alliance patriotique pour le travail et l’éthique (Apte), which mirrors the structure of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s own “Diomaye président “coalition. This parallelism is indicative of a growing “political competition “between the two leaders, just six months into their mandates.
On Sunday, Sonko convened Pastef’s national council, announcing the party’s first congress scheduled for June 6.
The goal of the congress is to reach one million members through an “openness to allies “policy, allowing sympathizers to join without full militant status. Membership cards will be sold starting in April, priced at 1,000 CFA francs in Senegal, 20 euros in Europe, and 20 dollars elsewhere. Sonko called on militants and allies to recruit mayors and mobilize ahead of the 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential vote.
He also made clear he has no intention of resigning as Prime Minister, writing on Facebook, “The steamroller is in motion, “summarizing his weekend activities.
The congress is seen as a crucial step for Pastef, reflecting the party’s ambition to solidify its presence in Senegal’s political landscape. Sonko’s efforts to mobilize his base and expand his party’s membership could be pivotal in the lead-up to the next elections.
Further details regarding the congress’s agenda and outcomes are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
The government stated in a communiqué that the event is a significant milestone for Pastef and a demonstration of the party’s commitment to democratic processes.
