collective of serigne touba’s grandsons declares ousmane sonko persona non grata in touba
A prominent group representing the descendants of Serigne Touba, the revered founder of the Mouride Brotherhood, has taken a firm stance against Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party. The collective has not only filed a defamation complaint following his remarks about the circulation of questionable funds in Touba but has also declared him persona non grata in the holy city, including during the upcoming Grand Magal pilgrimage.
The collective, led by Mokhtar Bousso, made its position clear during an interview on RFM radio. He emphasized that Sonko’s comments about the presence of “dirty money” in Touba were not only disrespectful to the city and its founder but also incompatible with the spiritual significance of the Grand Magal.
demanding respect for touba’s legacy
Mokhtar Bousso stated, “Those who question Serigne Touba’s teachings should never set foot in Touba. If he truly respected Serigne Touba, he would never have made such remarks about the city.” He underscored Touba’s pivotal role in Senegal’s development, highlighting its contributions to the nation’s economic, social, and moral fabric.
“Everyone knows Touba has always been a pillar of progress in Senegal,” Bousso added. “Ousmane Sonko must respect Touba and its founder. His allegations of dirty money circulating in Touba are an insult to the city’s legacy.”
call for self-reflection
The collective urged Sonko to reflect on his statements. “It’s time for Ousmane Sonko to introspect and decide whether he should ever return to Touba after his remarks,” Bousso declared. “If he believes dirty money flows in Touba, he has no place there.”
He further criticized the timing of Sonko’s comments, coming just days before the Grand Magal—a time when millions of Mouride followers prepare to gather in Touba. “Touba is the heart of Mouridism. Choosing this moment to make such statements is, in my view, a wish for the event’s failure,” he concluded.
