Ousmane Sonko’s Dakar rally: prime minister draws massive crowd

Sénégal’s Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Pastef party, Ousmane Sonko, received a jubilant welcome from hundreds of his supporters this Sunday, May 17. The occasion was a significant ‘grand pedestrian rally’ orchestrated by the departmental coordination of his political movement across Dakar, highlighting his strong public backing within the West Africa Sahel region.

Clad entirely in white, the Premier was met with an electrifying atmosphere as the enthusiastic crowd repeatedly chanted, ‘Sonko Président!’ He then immersed himself in the sea of well-wishers, engaging directly with citizens. Prominent figures from the party also joined the procession, including Dakar’s Mayor, Abass Fall, and the Minister of Higher Education, Daouda Ngom. The rally commenced at the iconic Place de la Nation and concluded at the Rond-point Jet d’eau.

Under the banner ‘Dakar Marching Behind Le Pros,’ this rally served multiple strategic objectives. It aimed to celebrate robust citizen participation and peaceful collective action, while also reinforcing unity around the vision championed by Prime Minister Sonko. This demonstration of solidarity comes as the Pastef party intensifies preparations for its crucial presidential elective congress scheduled for June 6, 2026, a key event in Sahel politics today.