Pape Mahawa Diouf launches RACINE, his new political movement

The former director general of the Senegalese Tourism Promotion Agency (ASPT), Pape Mahawa Diouf, officially launched his political movement RACINE (Citizen Rally for the Nation, Ethics, and Social Justice) on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Addressing his supporters gathered in Yoff, the former leader of the Alliance for the Republic (APR) presented a new political platform focused on citizenship, ethics, social justice, sustainable development, and national reconciliation.

In front of an audience composed of religious leaders, traditional chiefs, political actors and supporters, the president of RACINE presented a worrying assessment of the country's situation.

According to him, Senegal is experiencing a social crisis marked by persistent inequalities, youth unemployment, and the precarious situation of many families. He added that this is compounded by an economic crisis that is weakening household purchasing power, a civic crisis fueling distrust of institutions, and the growing effects of climate change.

"We are facing a social, economic, political and environmental crisis. We must mobilize all national forces to meet these challenges," said Pape Mahawa Diouf.

" Re-rooting citizenship"

The founder of RACINE explained that his movement was born from the conviction that the renewal of Senegal depends first and foremost on the renewal of citizenship. He therefore aims to promote a society founded on social justice, ethics, participatory democracy, and environmental protection.

"For us, politics is a sacred duty. It consists of meeting the daily challenges of our people and serving the general interest," he stated.

Citizen empowerment at the heart of the project

Beyond its political stance, RACINE intends to make citizen empowerment a major focus of its action. The movement aims to break with a logic where activists are only mobilized during elections by offering them prospects for economic and social development.

Its program is based on three main priorities: economic empowerment, social literacy, and the preservation of traditional knowledge. To this end, the movement provides vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and solidarity-based financing mechanisms through cooperatives, community microloans, and revolving funds to support local initiatives.

A plea for national reconciliation

Pape Mahawa Diouf also called for national reconciliation, believing that Senegal must preserve its unity and consolidate its democratic tradition.

"We support any national reconciliation initiative that allows Senegal to fully resume its path as a major democracy, bringing peace and hope," he said.

The president of RACINE also invited young people, women, workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen and all the vital forces of the nation to join this new citizen dynamic.

"I am available to serve Yoff "

Taking advantage of the launch ceremony, Pape Mahawa Diouf also addressed the calls from several Yoff residents urging him to lead the municipality. Without officially announcing his candidacy, he stated his readiness to meet the expectations of his fellow citizens. "I reiterate my availability to serve Yoff. I remain, humbly, a servant of the Yoff community," he declared.

Concluding his speech, the former Director General of ASPT reaffirmed his ambition to build, through RACINE, a movement based on citizenship, ethics, social justice and respect for the environment.

"With faith in our nation, with confidence in our people and with determination in action, let us grow RACINE to grow Senegal," he declared to the applause of his supporters.