Ousmane sonko honours abdoulaye wade at 100 years old

On the occasion of Me Abdoulaye Wade’s one-hundredth birthday, Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly, paid a heartfelt tribute to the former Head of State, whom he described as a towering figure in Senegalese democracy.

In a statement shared on social media, the Pastef leader opened with a tribute to a century of meaningful life: “A hundred years of purposeful existence.”

Sonko acknowledged that the timing of the milestone—occurring on the same day as Tabaski—limited opportunities for large-scale national celebrations, yet he emphasized that the true homage came from the hearts of millions of Senegalese. “Perhaps the most sincere tribute is the silent celebration in the hearts of the people, through fervent prayers and affectionate thoughts.”

Reflecting on Wade’s legacy, Sonko traced the former president’s political journey, from his first election to the National Assembly in 1978 to the historic democratic transition of March 2000. He underlined Wade’s pivotal role in shaping modern Senegal:

“Me Abdoulaye Wade stands without question as one of the most illustrious architects of Senegalese democracy.”

The tribute also touched on the personal bond between the two leaders. Sonko recalled moments of generosity and trust from Wade, particularly in 2017 and 2019. He described a rare form of leadership—“not the transfer of power, but the transmission of trust, a gesture only great men are capable of.”

In closing, Sonko extended his prayers for the centenarian, affectionately calling him “his grandfather,” and wished for Senegal to continue advancing while remaining true to its core values:

“May Allah place him under His eternal protection. And may Senegal, as he always envisioned, continue to grow, embrace modernity, and preserve its foundational principles.”