Yesterday was his last pre-Magal visit as head of state. President Sall, who bid farewell to Serigne Mountakha Mbacké in Darou Miname, recalled that he never intended to make a third candidacy. With less than 8 months remaining in his presidential term, he promised to continue to focus on the country’s security while the situation remains volatile. Touba, through Cheikh Bassirou Mbacké Abdou Khadre, thanked him for all the investments made in the city.

Dressed in white, accompanied by a strong delegation including the First Lady, President Sall had a tête-à-tête with the Kaliph General of the Mourides in his residence in Darou Miname. For several days, it has been the most visited place in the country with preparations for the Magal planned for this Monday in the religious city. In his speech, he emphasized the ties that link him to Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké: “I have come, as usual, to bring you greetings from all the Senegalese for Magal which is on the horizon and will be celebrated next week. We have come to thank you for the concern and esteem you have shown towards me.”

This is the last pre-Magal visit that he will make as head of state. This perspective doesn’t crush him or he doesn’t show it. “Next year at this time, it will be another person who will be here as head of state,” he said. Above all, he repeated in front of the patriarch of Darou Miname that he never intended to make a third candidacy. “I must say that it is a decision that I took with full responsibility, as I said in my book but also during the electoral campaign for my re-election in 2019. I said that if I am re-elected, I will no longer be a candidate,” recalled Macky Sall. He remembers these “privileged” moments with the Kaliph of the Mourides: “I thank you for all the prayers you have expressed to me saying that you leave me in the hands of Serigne Touba. I pray for a long life for you.”

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Less than 8 months before the end of his presidential term, President Sall is concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in West Africa. He said to the Kaliph: “What is happening in the sub-region must concern everyone. I ask you and other religious leaders to pray that the country is free from all these threats. They must speak and if necessary, dissuade the populations so that they do not commit certain acts which could harm the country.” For him, he spared no effort in his 12 years as head of State: “If I have not been able to realize certain concerns, it is perhaps a divine will, but not a lack of ambition. I must reaffirm here that I will spare no effort to guarantee the security of the people and property of this country.” He hopes that his successor will continue on this path: “Those who take over will have to protect the country from upheavals, especially after the discovery of certain minerals and other natural resources because where they are discovered, there have often been conflicts harmful to all.  »

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In Touba, we have not forgotten the “achievements carried out” under his leadership. Spokesperson for the Khalife General of the Mourides, Serigne Bassirou Mbacké thanked Macky Sall, who, he said, always responded favourably to all requests. He cites the construction of the Ila Touba highway, sanitation, the construction of 15 boreholes, participation in the construction of the University of Touba, the new hospital, the roads…

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In his speech, Touba’s spokesperson also welcomed Macky Sall’s decision not to run for a third term. “The decision you have made, rest assured, will not be in vain. It will be rewarded by the Good Lord. He (the Kaliph) told me that he remains convinced that it was the words he said to you ‘that he leaves you in the hands of Serigne Touba’, which allowed you this honourable exit,” noted Cheikh Bassirou Mbacké Abdou Khadre.

After this public audience, President Sall and the Kaliph of the Mourides met behind closed doors. After the hearings, he returned to Dakar in the evening.

By Ousmane SOW