Ousmane Sonko rallies support in Bargny for pastef membership drive

Crowds gathered in Bargny to welcome Ousmane Sonko, marking the first stop of his one-day tour through Senegalese towns. The visit served a dual purpose: to mobilize locals for a nationwide membership campaign and to honor activists who lost their lives in past political struggles.

Addressing the gathering, the Pastef party leader paid tribute to fallen militants from Bargny and surrounding areas. Their sacrifices, he emphasized, paved the way for the 2024 electoral triumph that brought Bassirou Diomaye Faye to the presidency. Sonko highlighted how the party’s journey—marked by repression and loss from 2021 to 2024—culminated in a historic political shift.

From activism to governance: a decade of perseverance

Founded by Sonko in 2014, Pastef’s rise to power followed years of relentless mobilization. The campaign’s slogan—‘One million members by October’—reflects the party’s ambition to consolidate its grassroots base. After stepping down as Prime Minister on May 22 to assume the role of National Assembly President, Sonko has intensified efforts to strengthen party ties across Senegal.

This tour coincides with a pivotal moment: the launch of a rival political movement by the sitting President. The growing rift between the two former allies, once united under the Diomaye Président coalition, has triggered resignations within Pastef’s ranks. Yet Sonko remains focused on grassroots engagement, as evidenced by his recent announcement of a 100-million-CFA fund to support victims of past political violence.

A membership surge across Senegal

The drive, initiated in early July, has already seen remarkable success. In Mbacké, the campaign’s official kickoff saw 13,000 membership cards distributed within hours, prompting an emergency restock in Dakar. With momentum building in towns like Sébikotane, Khombole, and Bambey, Pastef is on track to meet its ambitious target before October.