Pr. Arona Coumba Ndoffène Diouf : « De Senghor à Diomaye, Touba n'a pas reçu ce qu'elle mérite »
On the occasion of the Magal Bour Sine, 2026 edition, organized on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Keur Serigne Touba of Darou Manan under the aegis of the general khalifa of the Mourides Serigne Mountakha Mbacké Bachir and Serigne Abo Mbacké Fadhilou, khalifa of Serigne Fallou Mbacké, Professor Arona Coumba Ndoffène Diouf, former minister-advisor and grandson of Buur Sine, gave an update on the situation in Touba.
Touba, Senegal's second largest economy, but still neglected
The former minister-advisor stated his position bluntly from the outset: “It is time for those in power to honor their commitments to Touba. This city is not a large village; it now represents the second largest economy and population center in Senegal. A large population also means a significant contribution to state tax revenue. Dakar benefits from considerable investments for its municipal development, while Touba continues to face numerous challenges. This situation reflects a form of injustice that must be rectified.”
Floods: a recurring problem, promises never kept
On the issue of flooding, Professor Diouf was unequivocal: “The flooding problem remains unresolved. For several years, families have been displaced by the waters. At every election, the same promises are made, but action is slow to follow. After one, two, or three years, the problems persist. They existed under Macky Sall and continue to exist today. This must stop.”
Billions announced, nothing on the ground
Faced with the lack of transparency in public spending, he directly challenged the authorities: “Where have the billions announced for development gone? We hear talk of tens, even hundreds of billions of CFA francs, but on the ground, the people are not seeing any results. The difficulties persist. I therefore call upon the government and those responsible for leading the country to honor their commitments. To date, Touba's infrastructure remains inadequate. The roads are in very poor condition, and traffic has become extremely difficult. Vehicles wear out prematurely due to the poor state of the roads.”
A decisive electorate, ignored for too long
Professor Diouf also emphasized Touba's political importance and the ingratitude of successive governments: "It's time to put an end to the repeated promises made at every election. Government officials come to solicit the votes of Touba's residents, even though this city represents a significant electorate that has often played a decisive role in the election of presidents. Yet, how many promises have actually been kept? They actively contribute to the country's economic development. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), Touba ranks just behind Dakar. This means the city makes a substantial contribution to the public treasury."
Regarding the rapidly growing population of the holy city, he emphasized: “The rainy season is approaching, and concerns remain. No one can sleep soundly in the face of the threat of flooding. Furthermore, Touba is experiencing exceptional population growth, with its population practically doubling every ten years. While it had fewer than 500,000 inhabitants in the 1980s, it is now approaching two million. This reality demands responsibility. It is time for the authorities to recognize the growing frustration of the people of Touba.”
Touba, the economic heart of Senegal
The former minister-advisor emphasized Touba's colossal contribution to national public finances: "Touba is also the only city in the country to host several major religious events, notably the Grand Magal, the Magal of Serigne Fallou, the Magal of Kazu Rajab, and other events that generate hundreds of billions of CFA francs. Every liter of oil, every liter of fuel, water, electricity: everything is taxed. These revenues feed into the public treasury. It is therefore only right that the State should provide a return on investment commensurate with Touba's contribution to national development."
Professor Arona Coumba Ndoffène Diouf issued a twofold appeal, to both the government and the people: “Our leaders must take concrete measures and not just make announcements. The people expect actions that will sustainably improve their living conditions. As elections approach, politicians flock with endless promises. But today, the people must judge leaders by their actions, not their words. I also call on the residents of Touba to remain vigilant and demand that political leaders keep their word.”
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