Last Friday, President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, traveled to Touba to offer his condolences to the family of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké, who passed away the previous day. Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké was the esteemed khalife of Serigne Saliou Mbacké. This visit was notably marked by intense emotion, as reported by those present.

During his time in the holy city, the leader of Pastef reportedly experienced moments of significant distress. As he prepared to address the relatives of the late spiritual guide, Ousmane Sonko found himself unable to utter more than a few words before being consumed by sorrow and breaking down in tears. This powerful display of emotion was widely interpreted by many attendees as a clear indication of the exceptionally close relationship Sonko maintained with the deceased. One individual present remarked, “This is the first time I have seen him cry. He endured terrible hardships during the events between 2021 and 2024 and never wavered. Today, his tears reflect the immense loss he has suffered.”

Just hours before his visit, upon learning of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké’s passing on Thursday evening, Ousmane Sonko had publicly conveyed his anguish. In a deeply moving message, he had honored the memory of a man he considered a crucial pillar of support throughout his life. Ousmane Sonko had declared, “A father, a friend, a confidant, and a guide has departed. He stood by me during my darkest hours, offering his compassion, his counsel, his prayers, and those of thousands of disciples across various Daara.”