The so-called “patriotic” pedestrian rally, held this Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Dakar, under the banner “The march towards 2029,” was unfortunately marred by incidents that disrupted its planned course. This significant event, spearheaded by Dakar’s Mayor Abass Fall, notably saw Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko depart prematurely, compelled to leave the site 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 extensive crowds along the route created numerous organizational and traffic challenges, severely hindering the smooth execution of the event.

These unexpected disturbances ultimately impacted the head of government’s involvement. Ousmane Sonko did not complete the entire walk, with his departure prior to the demonstration’s end attributed directly to the observed crowd overflows and a perceived lack of adequate supervision among the attendees.

Abass Fall’s response to the rally disruptions

Following this incident, Abass Fall, the Mayor of Dakar and the organizer of the pedestrian rally, publicly voiced his profound regret regarding how the event unfolded. Reflecting on the observed disruptions, he pointed to the conduct of certain participants and deplored a form of indiscipline that, in his view, compromised the successful running of the march.

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

Commenting on the atmosphere that prevailed during the rally, he stressed that the deep commitment of militants to their leaders and their cause should always be accompanied by disciplined and organized conduct.

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

Context of PASTEF mobilizations

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