President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal on Saturday reaffirmed his membership in the Patriotic Front for Economic and Social Transformation (Pastef) and reflected on the challenges faced by the party during the pre-election period.
Speaking at a meeting of the Leaders’ Council of his coalition in Dakar, President Faye rejected any challenge to his legitimacy within Pastef. “No one can erase my work in Pastef, and today more than ever I claim my membership in this Pastef,” he said, recalling his central role in the movement that contributed to political change.
He also addressed the dissolution of his original party by decree on July 31, 2023, which had left the movement in a legal deadlock. “The truth is that Pastef no longer existed. The party was dissolved by decree on July 31, 2023. But it rose from its ashes after my election,” he said, explaining the political maneuvers undertaken at the time.
During the period when he lacked a legal party base, President Faye relied on support from other political forces. He paid tribute to officials who contributed to his path to the presidency. “Men lent us their receipts and walked alongside us,” he said, highlighting that these strategic alliances were crucial to his eventual victory, while allowing him to preserve his original political identity.
