On Friday, Ousmane Sonko traveled to Touba to offer his condolences to the family of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké, the late khalife of Serigne Saliou Mbacké, who passed away the previous evening. The visit was charged with raw emotion, as multiple attendees confirmed during follow-up accounts.

Witnesses recounted how the Pastef leader’s composure crumbled during his address to the deceased’s relatives. Sonko’s voice cracked after just a few words, and his grief spilled over in sobs that echoed through the gathering. One mourner later shared, « I’ve never seen him cry—not even during the 2021-2024 turmoil. His tears today reveal the magnitude of his loss. »

The outpouring of sorrow from Sonko wasn’t confined to the visit itself. Hours earlier, upon learning of the spiritual leader’s death on Thursday evening, he had already taken to public platforms to express his heartbreak. In a heartfelt statement, he paid tribute to a man he called « a father, a friend, a confidant, and a guiding light. » Sonko emphasized the unwavering support Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké had offered him, noting, « He stood by me in my darkest moments, offering compassion, wisdom, prayers, and the strength of his thousands of followers across the Daara communities. »