As a staunch supporter of Ousmane Sonko and one of Pastef’s most vocal figures, Waly Diouf Bodian’s dismissal from the Dakar Autonomous Port’s leadership marks a significant turning point. The move carries symbolic weight, coinciding with the resurgence of a 2022 Facebook post where Bodian boldly predicted Macky Sall’s political future.

In April 2022, Bodian declared on social media that “from April 2024 onward, citizen Macky Sall will no longer set foot in the Presidential Palace, unless presented with a confirmed invitation from President Ousmane Sonko.” The irony deepens as history unfolds: Macky Sall returned to Senegal in 2024, yet Ousmane Sonko was not in the Presidential Palace. The twist? Bodian himself was relieved of his duties at the very moment Macky Sall’s return coincided with his own political downfall.

This dismissal is the latest in a series of high-profile removals from Senegal’s public enterprises. Following the exits of Aïda Mbodji, Toussaint Manga, Ngagne Demba Touré, and Alioune Guèye, the wave continues unabated. On July 16, 2026, Waly Diouf Bodian’s tenure at the helm of the Dakar Autonomous Port came to an abrupt end after just two years in office.

The Council of Ministers’ official communiqué left no room for doubt: Waly Diouf Bodian was replaced by Doune Pathé Mbengue, a civil administrator and current mayor of Cambérène. Bodian had been appointed on April 24, 2024, to succeed Mountaga Sy, officially assuming leadership of the autonomous port on May 13 of the same year. Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Director of Legislation and International Cooperation at the General Directorate of Taxes and Domains (DGID).

« Alhamdoulillah. I give thanks to God. »

Waly Diouf Bodian was more than just a high-ranking official at one of the country’s key economic infrastructures. He was also one of Pastef’s most outspoken and formidable defenders, both on social media and in public discourse. His unwavering support for Ousmane Sonko often took the form of fierce rebuttals against critics, earning him a reputation as a relentless political sentinel.

When Ousmane Sonko was named “Guardian of the Revolution,” Bodian went a step further, declaring himself the “Guardian of the Guardian of the Revolution,” positioning himself as a political shield for the Pastef leader. His continued presence at the Autonomous Port after Sonko’s removal from the Prime Minister’s office puzzled many in the party’s base. Several Pastef officials had resigned in protest, yet Bodian chose to remain, citing the distinction between individual and collective decisions. “There is individual management and collective management,” he stated. “Some have handled this matter individually, but we are politicians in a party, and we follow the party’s guidance on such matters. I was not self-appointed as DG; it was through the party’s framework that I was named.”

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye ultimately decided otherwise. By relieving Bodian of his duties, the president brought an end to the political journey of one of the most loyal and ardent defenders of Ousmane Sonko at the Autonomous Port. Bodian’s response to his dismissal was characteristically measured. There was no bitterness, no public outcry, no retaliation—just a single, understated message on his Facebook page.