Ousmane Sonko rallies supporters in Bargny and other towns for Pastef membership drive

The streets of Bargny were alive with jubilation as Ousmane Sonko, leader of Pastef, arrived to a warm welcome from a passionate crowd. This marked the first stop of his nationwide tour to promote the sale of party membership cards, a campaign designed to grow the party’s base to one million members.

During his address, Sonko paid tribute to local activists who lost their lives during years of political struggle. He also celebrated the unwavering dedication of Bargny’s supporters, whose efforts were instrumental in securing the party’s victory in the April 2024 presidential and subsequent legislative elections.

The party, founded by Sonko in 2014, had long framed its rise to power as the culmination of a decade of mobilisation, despite facing severe repression and tragic losses between 2021 and 2024. The campaign to sell membership cards, launched in early July, has already seen remarkable success. In Mbacké, the official kickoff saw 13,000 cards sold within hours, prompting the party to place a new order in Dakar. Sonko has set an ambitious target of reaching one million members by October.

Political shifts and party dynamics

Since May 22, Ousmane Sonko has transitioned from Prime Minister to President of the National Assembly, a move that preceded growing tensions with the President of the Republic. His current tour comes on the same day the head of state officially launches his own political party, signaling a definitive split between the former allies who once formed the Diomaye Président coalition. In recent weeks, several high-ranking members of Pastef have resigned in response to these developments.

The Bargny stop was part of a broader series of tributes Sonko has paid to fallen activists and victims of the 2021-2024 period. Earlier, he announced a 100 million FCFA fund to support these individuals and their families, reinforcing the party’s commitment to its grassroots base.

Following Bargny, Sonko continued his journey to Sébikotane, Khombole, and Bambey, where he addressed supporters and encouraged them to play an active role in the membership drive. The tour reflects both a strategic push to expand the party’s influence and a personal effort by Sonko to reconnect with communities that have been at the heart of Pastef’s political journey.