Senegal’s pastef party to elect new leader with sonko as sole candidate

The Patriotic Africans of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (Pastef) party is set to hold its first-ever national elective congress on June 6 and 7, 2026, in Dakar. This landmark event will focus on electing the party’s new president while outlining strategic political directions for the coming years.

In a decision that has already been widely anticipated, incumbent Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has been confirmed as the sole candidate for his own succession as party leader. However, the party’s High Authority for Regulation (Harp) has rejected the applications of seven individuals, citing either incomplete documentation—such as missing identification or membership cards—or procedural irregularities that could no longer be rectified after the submission deadline of May 20.

The upcoming congress takes place against a backdrop of critical electoral milestones. With local elections scheduled for 2027 and the presidential election in 2029, the gathering will play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s vision and mobilizing support for future campaigns. Under Sonko’s leadership, the event is expected to reinforce the party’s cohesion and prepare a unified strategy ahead of these high-stakes contests.

As the political landscape in Senegal evolves, the Pastef party remains a key player in national discourse, with its decisions likely to influence the broader trajectory of the country’s democratic process.