Magal: Interior Minister Makhtar Cissé: "It will be very difficult to satisfy all concerns"

The Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, chaired on Tuesday the evaluation meeting of the Grand Magal of Touba, in the presence of Serigne Bassirou Mbacké Abdou Khadr, spokesperson for Serigne Mountakha, Serigne Bassirou Mbacké Abdou Khoudoss, spokesperson for the Khalif of Darou Mousty, the Governor of Diourbel Ibrahima Fall, the Prefect of Mbacké Khadim Hann and the Sub-Prefect of Ndame.

Speaking to the press, the minister first extended his "most respectful greetings" to the Caliph General of the Mourides, Sheikh Mouhamadou Mountakha Mbacké, "Khadimou Rassoul," as well as to the entire family of Serigne Touba. He also thanked the spokesperson, Serigne Bassirou Abdou Khadr, who had come to assist him in "this annual, yet perpetual" work of preparing for the Grand Magal, surrounded by dignitaries of the Serigne Touba family and all the administrative and territorial authorities.

The minister made a point of awarding "special recognition" to the regional governor for the "professionalism, competence, and rigor" with which he conducted the preparatory work. However, he deemed it premature to draw up an assessment at this stage, believing that "the system can only be evaluated after its final implementation and after the Magal." He thus announced that evaluation meetings would be held "two or three months after the Magal," rather than waiting until the approach of the following year's event.

Makhtar Cissé emphasized the continued growth of Touba, "a city that expands every day, every year," with a constantly increasing population and housing stock, leading to growing needs. He recalled that the President of the Republic had addressed this observation during his courtesy visit to the Caliph General, assuring him that he was acting in continuity with the actions of the Head of State and the Prime Minister. He involved in this initiative the sectoral ministers most involved in Touba, namely those of Infrastructure, Water Resources, and Health, as well as other relevant departments such as Livestock, Trade, Finance (through Customs), and Energy (through Senelec).

The minister clarified that this plan deserved to be evaluated "post-Magal," without waiting "a month or two after Magal to begin the work," which, according to him, would allow for a greater impact. He mentioned the existence of sectoral programs already underway in Touba, focusing on water supply, road improvement, and sanitation, specifying that these programs will continue, in addition to a "special plan" dedicated to Magal, designed to ensure its security and reduce disruptions.

The minister acknowledged that "it will be very difficult to address all concerns," given the increasing number of pilgrims flocking to Touba, noting that their behavior could sometimes have "a negative impact." He appealed for awareness, urging everyone to remember that this is "a pilgrimage" and "a religious event," and to improve their behavior to minimize any disturbances to others.