Dakar’s mayor condemns chaos after prime minister exits patriotic march
Premature departures marked the patriotic walk organized by Dakar’s Mayor Abass Fall on Sunday, May 17, 2026, under the theme “Marching towards 2029”. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a key participant, left the event before its scheduled end due to significant crowd management challenges.
Multiple accounts confirm that the disruption forced Sonko’s early exit, preventing him from completing the walk alongside other attendees. The incident drew sharp criticism from Mayor Fall, who voiced strong disappointment over the lack of discipline among participants.
Mayor blames indiscipline for event’s failure
Speaking to journalists, Mayor Fall highlighted the contradiction between the event’s purpose and the behavior of attendees. “We have a serious issue here. You can’t invite high-ranking officials only for people to act without order. That’s unacceptable. We came to promote unity through walking, but how can we achieve that when discipline is absent? That’s why he had to leave,” he asserted.
When questioned about the visible enthusiasm supporters showed for Sonko, the Mayor responded firmly. “Enthusiasm must be paired with intelligence. People need to understand the consequences of their actions. This is a major problem!”
The walk, intended to foster national pride and collective effort ahead of the 2029 milestone, ended on a tense note as organizers struggled to regain control over the situation.
