In a show of unwavering support, crowds gathered to welcome Ousmane Sonko as he launched the first leg of his nationwide tour through Bargny, Sébikotane, Khombole, and Bambey. The event marked the beginning of an ambitious campaign to sell Pastef membership cards, a strategic move aimed at expanding the party’s grassroots base to one million members.
The Senegalese leader took the opportunity to address local residents, emphasizing the significance of their role in the party’s journey. Before an attentive audience, he paid tribute to fallen activists from Bargny, whose sacrifices paved the way for Pastef’s eventual rise to power.
From struggle to victory: honoring a decade of perseverance
Ousmane Sonko’s address echoed the triumphant narrative of Pastef’s political ascent. Following Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory in the April 2024 presidential election and the subsequent landslide in the legislative polls, the party celebrated its hard-won success—a decade of relentless mobilization despite severe repression and human losses between 2021 and 2024.
Since May 22, Sonko has transitioned from Prime Minister to President of the National Assembly, a pivotal institutional shift that preceded growing tensions with the Head of State. His current tour coincides with the official launch of the President’s own political party, signaling a definitive split between former allies who once united under the Diomaye Président coalition. Recent weeks have seen a string of high-profile resignations within Pastef’s ranks, underscoring the deepening rift.
Memorializing the fallen, empowering the future
This stop in Bargny continued Sonko’s tradition of honoring those who perished during the turbulent years of 2021–2024. Earlier this year, he announced a 100 million FCFA fund to support the families of fallen activists, ensuring their sacrifices were never forgotten.
The membership drive, initiated in early July, has already swept across multiple regions. In Mbacké, the campaign’s official kickoff saw 13,000 cards sold within hours, prompting an urgent restocking order in Dakar. With a target of one million members set for October, Pastef is doubling down on grassroots expansion.