Waly Diouf Bodian, a prominent supporter of Ousmane Sonko, has been dismissed from his position as Director of the Autonomous Port of Dakar by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The dismissal comes amid a politically charged context, as one of Bodian’s past prophecies about former President Macky Sall resurfaces with striking irony.

Political upheaval shakes the Autonomous Port of Dakar

In a move laden with symbolism, Waly Diouf Bodian, a vocal advocate for Ousmane Sonko and a leading figure within the Pastef party, has been removed from his role as Director of the Autonomous Port of Dakar by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The dismissal coincides with the resurgence of a 2022 Facebook post in which Bodian made a bold prediction about former President Macky Sall.

In that post, Bodian declared that as of April 2024, Macky Sall would no longer set foot in the Presidential Palace unless invited by Ousmane Sonko. Yet fate, it seems, had other plans. When Macky Sall returned to Senegal earlier this year, Sonko was no longer in the position to issue such invitations. The timing of Sall’s return, coupled with Bodian’s sudden removal, has left many questioning the irony of these events.

Wave of dismissals continues across public enterprises

Waly Diouf Bodian’s removal is the latest in a series of high-profile changes at the helm of major public enterprises. Earlier removals included Aïda Mbodji from the DER/FJ, Toussaint Manga from LONASE, Ngagne Demba Touré from SOMISEN, and Alioune Guèye from PETROSEN. His dismissal, announced on July 16, 2026, marks the end of a two-year tenure at the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD).

The Council of Ministers’ official communiqué left no room for ambiguity: Bodian was succeeded by Doune Pathé Mbengue, a civil administrator and current mayor of Cambérène. Mbengue, previously the Deputy Director of Legislation and International Cooperation at the General Directorate of Taxes and Land (DGID), assumes the role with immediate effect.

A vocal defender silenced

Beyond his role as a high-ranking official, Waly Diouf Bodian was a fierce and unrelenting voice for Ousmane Sonko. Whether on social media or in public discourse, he positioned himself as Sonko’s staunch defender, often responding sharply to critics of the Pastef leader. His loyalty reached new heights when he declared himself the “Guardian of the Revolution’s Guardian,” a title Sonko had earned for his political stance.

His removal from the PAD comes as a surprise to many within the Pastef movement. After Sonko was removed from the Prime Minister’s office, Bodian’s continued presence at the helm of a key economic institution sparked confusion among party supporters. Some had anticipated his resignation in protest, following the example of other Pastef officials who left their posts to stand in solidarity with Sonko.

When questioned about this apparent contradiction, Bodian dismissed concerns, stating, “There is individual responsibility and collective responsibility. Others have managed this issue individually, but we are politicians. We are part of a party, and we adhere to the party’s decisions. I did not appoint myself DG; my appointment was made within the framework of the party.”

However, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has now made a different decision. By relieving Bodian of his duties, the president has brought an end to the tenure of one of Sonko’s most ardent and loyal supporters at the Autonomous Port of Dakar. Bodian’s response to his dismissal was notably restrained, devoid of bitterness or public confrontation. His only words, shared on Facebook, were simple: “Alhamdoulillah. I give thanks to God.”