This Saturday, the town of Mbacké became the stage for a pivotal moment in Senegalese political mobilisation as opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, head of the Pastef party, formally inaugurated the membership card sales campaign. The event marks a critical step for the party as it gears up for future electoral challenges, with the 2029 presidential race already looming on the horizon.
The gathering drew a large crowd of committed activists, with Sonko taking the opportunity to address internal tensions among local leaders. Referring directly to figures such as Dr. Fall Mbaye, Deputy Ahmadou Lö and Moustapha Diop, he urged them to set aside their differences. « I have done this everywhere I go: unity is non-negotiable. This is not the time for petty disputes—solidarity is what will carry us forward, » he declared, emphasising cohesion as a strategic necessity.
Following this call for unity, Sonko highlighted the overwhelming response to the membership drive in Mbacké. « By 4 p.m. today, all 13,000 cards dispatched to the town had already been purchased, forcing us to place an emergency order in Dakar, » he announced, underscoring the grassroots enthusiasm for the movement. The surge in online registrations even caused temporary system overloads, further illustrating the growing momentum behind Pastef.
The ambitious target set by Sonko for Mbacké alone is one million members by October, the deadline for the campaign. « This department alone has the potential to deliver a million adherents, » he declared to cheers from the crowd. Yet his speech extended beyond mere numbers, as he cautioned his supporters against reacting to provocations and stressed the importance of maintaining peace. « Avoid confrontation at all costs. If Senegal remains united, Pastef will triumph in every election—no contest will slip through our grasp, » he warned.
Sonko also dismissed critics and opportunists, urging his followers to focus solely on productive action. « Ignore those who speak without backing, who have no party and no real influence. Their words are empty, » he advised, reinforcing a message of disciplined mobilisation ahead of the political battles ahead.