The “patriotic” pedestrian rally, held this Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Dakar, centered on the theme “The march towards 2029,” encountered several setbacks that disrupted its planned course. This significant event, spearheaded by Dakar’s Mayor Abass Fall, culminated in the premature exit of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who found it necessary to leave before the activity concluded.

Intended as a pivotal moment for militant mobilization and unity, the march witnessed an overwhelming turnout. Reports indicate that the sheer enthusiasm of participants and the substantial crowd presence along the route led to numerous organizational and traffic challenges, severely impeding the event’s smooth progression.

These unforeseen disturbances ultimately impacted the head of government’s full participation. Ousmane Sonko was unable to complete the entire rally, with his early departure before its conclusion directly attributed to the observed overflows and a noticeable lack of crowd management throughout the gathering.

abass fall’s reflections on the incident

Following this regrettable episode, Abass Fall, the Mayor of Dakar and the initiator of the walk, publicly voiced his profound disappointment regarding how the event unfolded. Reflecting on the incidents, he pointed to the conduct of certain participants, lamenting a degree of indiscipline that, in his view, compromised the successful execution of the march.

For Abass Fall, the difficulties encountered during this mobilization must serve as a crucial learning experience for the planning of future large-scale political or activist gatherings. He stressed the imperative of strengthening supervision and fostering greater responsibility among participants to prevent the recurrence of such issues.

Commenting on the atmosphere that prevailed during the rally, he emphasized that the deep loyalty of militants to their leaders and cause must be matched by disciplined and organized behavior.

“Affection must be accompanied by intelligence. One must be intelligent,” he stated, expressing regret over what he perceived as a deficit of discipline within the ranks of those attending.

context of pastef mobilizations

This incident occurs within a broader context where PASTEF’s mobilization activities consistently draw significant militant participation. The May 17 walk, promoted under the banner “The march towards 2029,” was thus intended to be a powerful demonstration of support for the party’s future political aspirations.