Dakar’s “march towards 2029” marred by disorganization, leading to prime minister sonko’s early exit
The “patriotic” walking event in Dakar was disrupted by unforeseen difficulties, leading to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s premature departure. Mayor Abass Fall voiced his disappointment, highlighting the critical need for enhanced oversight to ensure the smooth execution of future political assemblies.
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, Dakar witnessed a “patriotic” pedestrian rally, themed “The march towards 2029,” which unfortunately encountered several organizational challenges. The event, spearheaded by Dakar’s Mayor Abass Fall, saw Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko compelled to leave before its conclusion due to the unfolding issues.
Intended as a significant moment for activist engagement and party unity, the march drew an impressive crowd. Reports indicate that the sheer enthusiasm and substantial turnout along the route created considerable logistical hurdles and traffic congestion, impeding the rally’s intended flow.
These disruptions ultimately impacted the head of government’s participation. Ousmane Sonko did not complete the entire walking tour, his early exit attributed to the uncontrolled scenes and a noticeable lack of crowd management.
reactions from abass fall to the incident
Following these events, Mayor Abass Fall, the rally’s organizer, publicly expressed his dismay regarding how the activity unfolded. Reflecting on the observed chaos, he pointed to the conduct of certain attendees, deploring a level of disorganization that, in his view, compromised the march’s success.
Fall stressed that the difficulties encountered during this mass gathering must serve as a valuable lesson for planning future large-scale political or activist demonstrations. He emphasized the imperative of bolstering supervision and fostering greater accountability among participants to prevent similar occurrences.
Commenting on the prevailing atmosphere at the event, he underscored that activists’ dedication to their leaders and cause must be matched by disciplined and orderly conduct.
“Affection must be accompanied by intelligence. One must be intelligent,” he declared, lamenting what he perceived as a deficit of discipline within the ranks of those present.
context of pastef mobilizations
This incident occurs amidst a backdrop where PASTEF’s mobilization efforts consistently draw substantial militant participation. The May 17 rally, promoted under the banner “The march towards 2029,” was thus designed to be a powerful display of the party’s political momentum and future aspirations.