Ousmane Sonko honours Serigne Touba’s legacy ahead of Grand Magal
With the Grand Magal just around the corner, the President of the National Assembly made a customary courtesy visit to Touba to meet with the General Khalife of the Mouride Brotherhood, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké. Leading a prominent delegation of deputies and Pastef officials, he underscored the enduring ties between the State and the Mouride community amid a backdrop of recent controversies.
The visit carried special significance this year, as Ousmane Sonko took the opportunity to pay tribute to the legacy of Serigne Touba, the revered founder of the Mouride order. Standing before the spiritual leader, he expressed deep admiration for the guiding principles and lifelong dedication that defined Serigne Touba’s journey. « Our joy and respect for Serigne Touba know no bounds, » Sonko remarked. « His teachings, his resilience, and his vision set an unparalleled example for anyone entrusted with leadership. True leadership, as he demonstrated, is rooted in patriotism and self-sufficiency. For a nation to thrive, its people must embrace independence in thought and action. »
Lessons in self-reliance from a historical titan
Reflecting on the construction of the Great Mosque of Touba, Sonko shared a lesser-known yet powerful anecdote from history. « A close acquaintance recently shared with me, » he recounted, « that when Serigne Touba sought to build the mosque, he asked his followers to contribute modestly—just 140 francs each. At the time, he was aware that colonial powers were prepared to fund the project. Yet, he declined their offer, insisting instead on the dignity of self-reliance. »
With measured conviction, he added, « The journey from a humble gathering to the grandeur of Touba today is a testament to that principle. Had our leaders embraced Serigne Touba’s ethos of collective effort and fiscal prudence, our nation would not be burdened by the weight of unsustainable debt. » His words carried an unmistakable critique of public financial management, resonating with the core values championed by the Pastef movement.
Towards a governance rooted in transparency and citizen engagement
Concluding his remarks, Sonko invoked the wisdom of Serigne Cheikh Gaindé Fatma, a prominent Mouride scholar, to reinforce his vision for governance. « The essence lies in asking of each citizen what they can genuinely offer, » he emphasized, « and then deploying those resources with absolute transparency—so that every contribution is accounted for and every beneficiary is known. » This philosophy, he asserted, embodies the foundation of a just and accountable leadership.
His visit follows a similar tradition upheld by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who met with the Khalife just days prior to prepare for the Grand Magal. Serigne Mountakha Mbacké responded with words of encouragement, urging Sonko to remain steadfast in his commitment to national unity and peace. The exchange reflected a shared resolve to uphold the values that have long defined the Mouride community and, by extension, the Senegalese nation.
