The Asc Bouna ground in Kolda was packed to overflowing for a major information and awareness rally organised by the vice-president of the Departmental Council, Younoussa Mballo. Between a call for cohesion and civic engagement, the stated aim is to broaden President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s political base in the capital of Fouladou.

By Aladji BADJILANG – A strong show of support for the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, shook the capital of Fouladou. The initiative is credited to the vice-president of the Kolda Departmental Council, Younoussa Mballo, on the occasion of a large information and awareness meeting focused on the upcoming elections.

Younoussa Mballo is increasingly establishing himself as the standard-bearer of the Kiiraay party in the region. At the Asc Bouna sports ground, which was packed to overflowing for the occasion, the National Coordinator of Proval-Cv pulled off an impressive show of strength. Activists and supporters from the various neighbourhoods of the commune gathered en masse to show their support for his approach.

A call for unity and for moving beyond quarrels

Sounding the alarm over the political stakes of the moment, Younoussa Mballo urged the people of Fouladou to join the ranks of Kiiraay in large numbers to support the Head of State in implementing his development programme. Before a crowd proudly sporting the party’s colours, the vice-president of the Departmental Council stressed the need to work with discipline, unity and unwavering commitment.

In a local context often marked by internal quarrels and jockeying for position within the ruling camp, the Proval-Cv coordinator managed to take on the role of unifier of the community’s driving forces. His leadership was, moreover, warmly endorsed by the many political leaders from the region who attended the event.

Backing from senior figures and mayors of the department

Among the notable figures, the Director General of Lonase, Abdourahmane Doura Baldé, the guest of honour, paid tribute to the career of the government’s new ally, a former companion of Moussa Baldé (former minister and current president of the Kolda Departmental Council). Taking the floor, the head of Lonase made a stirring appeal to end “the fighting between party brothers” and to focus exclusively on growing the movement’s base in order to win the forthcoming electoral contests. In the same vein, several mayors from the Kolda department welcomed the strong popular turnout and reaffirmed their determination to line up behind Younoussa Mballo to champion the cause of the President of the Republic.

ehcoly@lequotidien.sn