After a hiatus of several weeks, necessitated by the revered Grand Magal de Touba celebrations, the leader of Pastef, Ousmane Sonko, has resumed the vigorous pace of his party’s membership card sales campaign. This initiative initially kicked off in Touba, officially launched during the “48H Pastef” event. Since then, the tour has seen enthusiastic receptions in various locations, including Bargny, Sébikotane, Khombole, Bambey, and later Keur Madiabel and Mbacké. Each visit consistently drew large crowds, echoing the significant mobilization witnessed during his July 26 outing, which notably coincided with the inauguration of the presidential party, Kiiraay.
This renewed push is central to Pastef’s ambitious goal: to enlist one million new members before October. Ousmane Sonko himself underscored this aspiration during his stop in Mbacké, where he specifically challenged the department to contribute significantly to the overall target. He famously declared that Mbacké alone possessed the potential to generate a million adherents. Earlier stages of the campaign frequently experienced rapid sell-outs of membership cards within hours, compelling the party to arrange swift resupplies to meet the overwhelming demand.
The recommencement of the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension. This period is notably characterized by the definitive estrangement between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, alongside the recent establishment of the new presidential party, Kiiraay. The latter has, in recent weeks, seen several key Pastef figures depart. In response to these defections, the party chief recently appealed to his supporters, urging them to refrain from commenting on the departures and instead maintain their focus on achieving the ongoing campaign’s objectives.
This renewed push is central to Pastef’s ambitious goal: to enlist one million new members before October. Ousmane Sonko himself underscored this aspiration during his stop in Mbacké, where he specifically challenged the department to contribute significantly to the overall target. He famously declared that Mbacké alone possessed the potential to generate a million adherents. Earlier stages of the campaign frequently experienced rapid sell-outs of membership cards within hours, compelling the party to arrange swift resupplies to meet the overwhelming demand.
The recommencement of the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension. This period is notably characterized by the definitive estrangement between Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, alongside the recent establishment of the new presidential party, Kiiraay. The latter has, in recent weeks, seen several key Pastef figures depart. In response to these defections, the party chief recently appealed to his supporters, urging them to refrain from commenting on the departures and instead maintain their focus on achieving the ongoing campaign’s objectives.
