The so-called “patriotic walk,” an event held this Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Dakar under the banner “The march towards 2029,” was unfortunately marred by incidents that disrupted its planned course. This significant gathering, organized by Dakar Mayor Abass Fall, notably saw Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko compelled to depart prematurely, unable to complete the activity.

Intended as a pivotal moment for militant mobilization and unity, the march attracted a substantial crowd. Reports indicate that the sheer enthusiasm of participants and the massive turnout along the route created numerous organizational and traffic challenges, significantly impeding the smooth progression of the event.

Ultimately, these disturbances directly impacted the head of government’s participation. Ousmane Sonko did not remain for the entirety of the walk; his early departure from the demonstration was attributed to the observed overflows and a noticeable lack of effective crowd management.

abass fall’s strong reaction to the disruption

Following this unfortunate episode, Dakar Mayor Abass Fall, the principal organizer of the walk, publicly conveyed his deep regret over how the event unfolded. Reflecting on the incidents, he pointed to the conduct of certain participants and lamented what he perceived as a level of indiscipline that, in his view, compromised the successful execution of the march.

For Abass Fall, the difficulties encountered during this large-scale mobilization must serve as a crucial learning experience for the planning of future political or activist gatherings. He underscored the imperative of strengthening supervision and fostering a greater sense of responsibility among attendees to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Addressing the atmosphere that characterized the walk, he stressed that while militants’ devotion to their leaders and cause is commendable, it must always be accompanied by disciplined and orderly behavior.

“Affection must be coupled with intelligence. One needs to be intelligent,” he asserted, expressing his disappointment at what he considered a shortfall in discipline among the participants.

context of pastef’s ongoing mobilizations

This particular incident occurs within a broader context where PASTEF’s mobilization activities consistently draw immense militant participation. The May 17 walk, promoted with the slogan “The march towards 2029,” was thus designed to be a powerful demonstration of grassroots support for the party’s future political ambitions.