Kiiraay/Touba: One party, three coordinators

Newly created by the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Kiiraay party is facing internal rivalry in the Touba municipality. Three officials are each claiming the position of municipal coordinator for the party. They are the Director General of SAR, Abib Diop, Moustapha Diouf Lambaye, and Serigne Abdou Lahat Mbacké Ndoulo, founder of the Takhaw Falaat Macky Sall movement in 2019.

This leadership battle is causing tension among officials within the same political party. A similar scenario is being reported in the municipality of Mbacké, where two members are each presenting themselves as coordinators.

Serigne Abdou Lahat Mbacké Ndoulo, who also calls himself the communal coordinator of Kiiraay in Touba, calls for unity while demanding a clarification of leadership.

"The situation is now clear. The officials who work for the president know each other very well. Everyone knows who is who and who does what. I call on all officials to unite, but we must put the right man in the right place," he says.

Serigne Abdou Lahat Mbacké Ndoulo also invites the head of state to beware of "merchants of illusions" who would seek to take advantage of the situation.

“Let’s be clear: we are not behind anyone. Furthermore, no official can proclaim themselves coordinator of Kiiraay in Touba. It is up to the party president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to choose a coordinator,” he maintains.

Beyond the question of leadership, Serigne Abdou Lahat Mbacké Ndoulo calls on the authorities to address the difficulties faced by the people of Touba, including youth unemployment, lack of funding for women and sanitation problems.

“In Touba, the people are exhausted. Young people are unemployed. The unemployment rate is very high. To escape poverty, some are forced to risk their lives crossing the sea. Women have no access to financial support,” he laments. He also points to the neighborhoods affected by flooding, stating that “the people are living through a real ordeal.”