A group representing the descendants of Serigne Touba Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, the revered founder of the Mouride Brotherhood, has formally declared Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party, persona non grata in Touba. The decision follows a defamation complaint filed after Sonko’s recent statements alleging the presence of “dirty money” circulating in the holy city.

The collective’s spokesperson, Mokhtar Bousso, made his position clear on national radio, emphasizing that any disrespect toward Touba or its founder warrants exclusion from the sacred site. “Those who question Serigne Touba’s legacy should never set foot in Touba,” he asserted. “If he truly revered Serigne Touba and his teachings, he would never have uttered such words about this city.”

Bousso highlighted Touba’s pivotal contributions to Senegal’s progress across economic, social, and moral dimensions. “Touba has always been a cornerstone of national development. Ousmane Sonko must respect this legacy and, above all, honor the memory of the Mouridism’s founder,” he stated.

The collective views Sonko’s allegations as a deliberate affront to Touba’s sanctity, especially as the city prepares to host the upcoming Grand Magal pilgrimage. “Accusing Touba of harboring illicit funds is an insult to Serigne Touba himself,” Bousso argued. “He has no place here, not even for the Grand Magal—though we know Serigne Touba’s doors are open to all.”

The spokesperson went further, urging Sonko to reflect deeply on his actions. “It’s time for Ousmane Sonko to look inward and ask himself whether he deserves to return to Touba after these remarks. If he believes dirty money flows here, then he should stay away,” he declared.

Bousso also criticized the timing of Sonko’s statements, coinciding with the final preparations for the Grand Magal. “Touba is the heart of Mouridism. To make such claims just days before this sacred event is, in my view, a refusal to acknowledge its significance,” he concluded.