In a show of grassroots strength, Ousmane Sonko launched his political tour in Bargny, where he was greeted by a sea of supporters and local leaders eager to boost the party’s membership campaign.
The Pastef leader kicked off a four-city tour this Saturday, beginning in Bargny before moving on to Sébikotane, Khombole, and Bambey. His mission: to energize activists and drive forward the critical campaign to sell party membership cards ahead of upcoming elections.
Standing before a packed crowd in Bargny, Sonko made it clear his visit was all about mobilizing the base. He emphasized that the membership drive was not just important—it was a strategic imperative for the future of Pastef. “I’m here to push our activists to sell these membership cards with everything they’ve got,” he declared. “Frankly, I shouldn’t even be speaking right now—I should be helping you sell.”
The former Prime Minister framed the campaign as a cornerstone for upcoming electoral battles. “This membership drive will decide the next elections,” he told the cheering crowd. The enthusiastic reception in Bargny, he argued, was proof of Pastef’s deep roots in the community.
Sonko also took time to acknowledge the hardships faced by Bargny’s residents under the previous administration. “I know what you went through—the victims of the Macky Sall era,” he said. “I want you to know Bargny hasn’t been forgotten.”
Pastef’s political journey and challenges ahead
Addressing the broader ambitions of his party, Sonko admitted that Pastef still faces hurdles, from accountability to political violence and development gaps. “We don’t yet have all the tools to match our ambitions,” he admitted, while expressing confidence in the party’s trajectory since taking office.
He urged activists to stay disciplined and avoid provocation as tensions rise. “We’re 80% to our goal—20% left,” he said, calling on supporters to double down on the membership drive. “This campaign is vital to securing our political project.”
