On Friday, Ousmane Sonko traveled to Touba to offer his condolences to the grieving family of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké, the late spiritual guide and successor to Serigne Saliou Mbacké. Witnesses described the visit as one of deep sorrow, with Sonko visibly struggling to contain his emotions.
As he addressed the assembly of mourners, Sonko’s voice faltered almost immediately. His words were drowned out by overwhelming grief as he dissolved into tears in front of the gathered crowd. Several attendees later remarked that this was the first time they had seen him break down in such a manner. One observer shared, “I’ve never seen him cry before. Even during the turbulent events between 2021 and 2024, he remained steadfast. Today, his tears speak volumes about the immense loss he feels.”
The outpouring of emotion was not confined to the visit itself. Just hours after the announcement of Serigne Cheikh Saliou Mbacké’s passing on Thursday evening, Sonko had already taken to public platforms to express his sorrow. In a heartfelt tribute, he described the spiritual leader as a father, friend, confidant, and guide. “A pillar of strength in my darkest moments, he stood by me with unwavering compassion, wisdom, and prayers—alongside the countless blessings from his followers across the Daara communities,” Sonko reflected.