In a bid to foster national unity amid pressing economic and social challenges, Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké has called for an end to personal feuds among Senegal’s top leadership.
During the Grand Magal of Touba—a major religious observance commemorating Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba’s exile—Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké addressed his followers from his residence in Mermoz, urging President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to move beyond their differences for the greater good of the nation.
The influential religious figure emphasized that reconciliation between the two leaders is not only possible but necessary, given their shared responsibilities to the Senegalese people. « Their reunion should not be dismissed, as they represent a minority compared to the broader population. For the sake of the country, they must come together, » he declared to a captivated audience.
Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké framed his appeal in both political and cultural terms, invoking the concept of cousinage à plaisanterie—a tradition of playful rivalry among ethnic groups—to underscore the need for mutual understanding. « They must reconcile and start anew for the nation’s sake. They are cousins in this tradition, » he stressed, urging them to prioritize collective progress over individual ambitions.
The marabout went further, tracing the roots of the current tensions to a shared history of struggle that predates their political rise. By positioning himself as a mediator, he underscored the importance of national unity, reminding both leaders that their bond was forged in solidarity long before their political careers took shape. « It was not politics that united us but hard work, until kinship through shared surnames developed, » he noted, advocating for a collective effort to overcome divisions.
In a country grappling with economic and social challenges, his message resonated as a call for cohesion, urging leaders to rise above personal grievances for the collective welfare of Senegal.
