In a candid television appearance, Serigne Mboup, businessman and Mayor of Kaolack, expressed deep concern over the growing rift between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Speaking on TFM’s *Infos Matin*, he voiced his personal disappointment about the deteriorating relationship between two key figures who once stood united as electoral allies.
a plea for national cohesion
Mboup, who actively supported Sonko during last year’s legislative elections, emphasized the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation. He warned that a continued stalemate could stall critical development initiatives across the country. « I had stepped away from politics because I was fed up with the infighting, » he admitted. « I only campaigned once—for Ousmane Sonko—and that was during the legislative race. »
no allegiance, just a call for progress
Despite his historical ties to Sonko, Serigne Mboup made it clear he is not aligning with either faction in the current dispute. « I’m not with Diomaye. I’m not with Sonko, » he stated firmly. « But if President Diomaye calls me tomorrow to discuss Kaolack’s development projects, I’ll be there. That doesn’t mean I’ll join his party. »
His remarks underscore a broader frustration among Senegalese observers: when political leaders clash, governance stalls. « When there’s a conflict, nothing moves. Right now, in Senegal, nothing is moving, » Mboup observed.
balancing development and neutrality
The Mayor of Kaolack reiterated his commitment to constructive collaboration, regardless of party lines. « All I want is for Sonko and Diomaye Faye to resolve their differences peacefully, » he said. « Then I can return to what I do best—building partnerships and investing in local education. »
