Ousmane Sonko pays tribute to Abdoulaye Wade at century milestone
As Senegal’s former President Me Abdoulaye Wade marks his 100th birthday on May 29, 2026, National Assembly leader Ousmane Sonko has delivered a heartfelt tribute to the political icon. Through a message shared on X, the Pastef party figurehead reflected on Wade’s enduring legacy, calling it “a century of meaningful life.”
The coincidence of this historic milestone with Eid al-Adha limited public celebrations, Sonko acknowledged, yet he emphasized that millions across the country were honouring Wade in quiet, heartfelt ways. “Perhaps this silent chorus of prayers and affection is the most genuine homage of all,” he reflected.
A legacy woven into Senegal’s democratic fabric
Sonko traced Wade’s pivotal role in shaping Senegal’s political landscape, highlighting his decades-long journey beginning with his entry into the National Assembly in 1978. Yet it was the landmark democratic transition of March 2000 that cemented Wade’s place in history as a champion of change. “Me Abdoulaye Wade stands without question among the most illustrious architects of Senegalese democracy,” Sonko declared.
Personal reflections: trust and mentorship
The political leader also shared personal memories of Wade, recounting moments of “unmatched magnanimity” and the rare gift of trust he received in 2017 and 2019. “The President placed upon my path a gesture reserved for only the greatest of leaders — not the transfer of power, but the rarer act of entrusting confidence,” Sonko shared.
Closing his message with affection, he referred to Wade as “his grandfather” and offered prayers for his protection: “May God shelter him eternally. And may Senegal, as he always believed, stride forward into modernity while cherishing its core values.”
