After a pause of several weeks for the Grand Magal de Touba celebrations, Pastef’s leader, Ousmane Sonko, has reignited the vigorous pace of his party’s membership card sales campaign. This crucial initiative originally kicked off in Touba, coinciding with the “48H Pastef” event. Since its inception, the tour has generated significant public enthusiasm, making stops in Bargny, Sébikotane, Khombole, Bambey, and later Keur Madiabel and Mbacké. Each visit saw massive mobilization, exemplified by a particularly strong turnout on July 26th, the same day the presidential party Kiiraay was launched.
This renewed push is integral to Pastef’s ambitious goal of enlisting one million new members before October. Ousmane Sonko himself underscored this objective during his visit to Mbacké, where he expressed confidence that this single department could contribute a million adherents. The high demand for membership cards at previous campaign stops frequently led to rapid stock depletion within hours, necessitating swift resupply efforts to accommodate the large crowds.
The campaign’s resumption unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension. A notable development is the clear divergence between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Furthermore, the recent establishment of the new presidential party, Kiiraay, has prompted several key figures to depart from Pastef in recent weeks. In response to these shifts, the party leader urged his militants to refrain from commenting on the defections and instead maintain unwavering focus on the ongoing campaign’s objectives.