During the Grand Magal of Touba, marking the exile of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, several religious leaders addressed national affairs. Among them, Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké, speaking from his residence in Mermoz, directly addressed the strained relations between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. He urged both leaders to set aside personal differences for the greater good of the nation.

Addressing a large gathering of followers, the spiritual leader delivered a powerful message of reconciliation. “Their reconciliation should not be ruled out, as they represent a minority compared to the broader population. They must come together for the sake of the country,” he declared. For Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké, the time has passed for personal disputes; the focus must now be on national unity, particularly as Senegal faces significant economic and social hurdles.

The religious figure did not shy away from emphasizing the urgency of his appeal, urging the two men to move past their disagreements. “They must reunite and start anew for the country’s sake. They are cousins through shared humor and tradition,” he stressed, blending political and cultural reasoning to strengthen his call for calm.

Beyond power dynamics, Serigne Modou Kara Mbacké highlighted that the relationship between Diomaye Faye and Sonko stems from a long history of collaboration that predates their political careers. By stepping into a mediating role, the spiritual leader aims to influence the current political climate and reinforce the idea that national unity must outweigh personal ambitions. “It was not politics that united us but our shared labor, which eventually led to kinship through shared struggles,” he concluded, advocating for the transcendence of divisions in favor of what truly matters.