The so-called “patriotic” pedestrian rally, held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Dakar, under the banner “The march towards 2029,” was unfortunately marred by a series of incidents. This event, spearheaded by Dakar Mayor Abass Fall, notably saw the early departure of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was compelled to leave before the activity concluded.

Intended as a pivotal moment for militant mobilization and unity, the march attracted an exceptionally large crowd. However, the overwhelming enthusiasm and significant turnout along the route created numerous organizational hurdles and traffic congestion, severely impeding the smooth progress of the event.

These unforeseen disruptions ultimately impacted the head of government’s participation. Ousmane Sonko was unable to complete the entire rally, his early departure being directly attributed to the uncontrolled overflow of participants and a noticeable lack of effective crowd management on site.

Abass Fall’s response to the incident

In the aftermath of these events, Abass Fall, the Mayor of Dakar and the initiator of the pedestrian rally, publicly voiced his profound disappointment regarding how the activity unfolded. Reflecting on the observed incidents, he pointed to the conduct of certain participants, lamenting what he described as a form of indiscipline that compromised the march’s intended purpose and orderly execution.

For Abass Fall, the challenges encountered during this significant mobilization must serve as crucial lessons for the planning of future large-scale political or activist gatherings. He emphasized the imperative to strengthen oversight and foster a greater sense of responsibility among participants to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Addressing the atmosphere that characterized the rally, he stressed that while militants’ devotion to their leaders and cause is vital, it must always be coupled with disciplined and organized behavior.

“Affection must be accompanied by intelligence. One must be intelligent,” he asserted, expressing his regret over what he perceived as a lack of discipline within the ranks of attendees.

Context of PASTEF mobilizations

This incident unfolds within a broader context where PASTEF’s mobilization activities consistently draw substantial militant participation in Senegal. The May 17 rally, organized under the theme “The march towards 2029,” was thus intended to be a powerful demonstration of the party’s political strength and future aspirations.