Koungheul: Leadership struggle within the Diomaye President coalition

The Diomaye President coalition is going through a turbulent period in the Koungheul department. A heated controversy pits several local officials against Babou Khady Dieng, who recently presented himself as the coalition's departmental coordinator.

At the heart of the protest, Élimane Mbaye and several of his colleagues denounce a "self-proclamation" they deem unfounded. According to them, Babou Khady Dieng was never appointed to this position by the coalition members and therefore cannot claim this responsibility. "In a recent statement, Mr. Babou Khady Dieng proclaimed himself the departmental coordinator of the Diomaye Président coalition in Koungheul. This is completely false. He even claims to have been chosen by consensus, when in fact no one appointed him. We denounce this unilateral decision, which only serves to sow division within the presidential camp," declared Élimane Mbaye.

The protesters go further, questioning Babou Khady Dieng's political career. They maintain that he did not support Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the 2024 presidential election and point out that in the legislative elections of November 17, 2024, he joined another coalition, La Marche des Territoires/And Nawlé, alongside Maguette Sène, through his MEDK movement (Mouvement pour l'émergence du département de Koungheul). "He now wants to reap the rewards of the tree we planted at the cost of many sacrifices. We will not accept it," insist Élimane Mbaye and his supporters, who call Babou Khady Dieng an "usurper."

The dissenting leaders announced their intention to directly contact the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as well as the general supervisor of the Diomaye President coalition, Aminata Touré, to request their intervention and clarify the situation. They further warned that other actions would be taken in the coming days to make their position heard and, in their view, to restore legitimacy within the coalition in the Koungheul department.