In a show of unwavering support, Ousmane Sonko, now President of the National Assembly, launched a sweeping campaign across key Senegalese cities to promote Pastef party membership cards. His first stop, Bargny, saw streets teeming with enthusiastic crowds, setting the tone for a day of intense political engagement.
Honoring the fallen, rallying the living
A sea of faces greeted Sonko as he took the stage, his presence a living testament to the sacrifices made by activists in the long struggle that culminated in the party’s rise to power. In Bargny, he paid tribute to those who paid the ultimate price during the turbulent years between 2021 and 2024, a period marked by relentless repression and profound loss.
The party’s founder, who once stood as a symbol of resistance, now stands at the helm of a political movement that has reshaped Senegal’s landscape. The victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in April 2024 and the subsequent legislative triumph were hailed as the crowning achievements of a decade-long mobilization effort, forged in adversity.
From the premiership to the assembly presidency
Sonko’s transition from Prime Minister to President of the National Assembly in May 2024 marked a pivotal shift in Senegal’s political dynamics. This new role coincided with a growing rift between him and the President of the Republic, a rupture that became official on the very day of this campaign. The launch of a rival party by the head of state underscored the depth of the split, which had already prompted the departure of several Pastef officials in recent weeks.
A membership drive with momentum
The nationwide push to enroll a million new members into Pastef has already demonstrated remarkable traction. Since its July kickoff in Mbacké, where 13,000 cards were snapped up within hours, the campaign has gained unstoppable momentum. Sonko’s stops in Sébikotane, Khombole, and Bambey were designed not only to energize local supporters but also to solidify the party’s grassroots foundation ahead of the October target.
In Bargny, the campaign took on added significance as Sonko reiterated his commitment to the families of those lost in the struggle, announcing a 100 million FCFA fund to support victims’ dependents. This gesture underscored the deep emotional and political ties binding the party to its base.
