The city of Kaolack is shaken by a lively political controversy linked to the forum on oil and gas recently organized by the ministry led by Birame Souleye Diop. In an official press release dated September 21, 2025, the town hall, led by Serigne Mboup, announces its temporary boycott of this initiative, denouncing a climate marked by political tensions and acts which it deems unacceptable.
In this press release, the municipal team expresses its deep disappointment in the face of public support granted to certain political actors including Fadilou Keïta and Mamadou Lamine Ndiaye, both candidates for local deadlines of 2027 and members of the Pastef party. The town hall accuses the latter of having publicly supported an individual qualified as “insulting”, of having exerted pressures on justice for his release, and of having organized provocative demonstrations, in particular before the town hall and the home of the mayor.
At the heart of the grievances, also appears an accusation of political interference, with the participation of pastefiens activists and figures such as Me El Hadji Diouf, in a context deemed electoral. The town hall also denounces the supposed protection of political transhumants of the Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition, involved in her diversions of land and subsidies. It also criticizes the sabotage of local investments creating jobs for the benefit of external projects deemed misleading, as well as the organization of the centenary forum of the town hall, considered as a major event for the city, which it accuses of attempted destabilization.
Serigne Mboup and his team also castigate what they describe as arrogance and lack of recognition with regard to the mayor, the first magistrate and civil status officer, recalling their commitment to sustainable development, the transparency and the security of the inhabitants. They regret that ministerial protocols and visits have transformed into sterile political maneuvers, without realization of essential structuring projects such as the repair of RN1 and RN4 roads, or the creation of the FIKA 2025 industrial zone.
In response, Fadilou Keïta published on his Facebook page a firm response to these accusations. He describes the words of Serigne Mboup as “Balivens” tinged with “bad faith” and announces that he will respond to them in a more in -depth manner. He accuses the mayor of trying to divide the “patriots” in a tense electoral context, insisting that his criticisms are motivated by the local deadlines of 2027 and by a difficult personal situation that certain political actors would know.
This dispute illustrates the political tensions which agitate Kaolack a few months before the local elections, in a context where the management of major projects and the political climate are closely linked. The boycott of the town hall of the oil and gas forum highlights deep fractures between local actors and national political figures, making uncertain the holding and efficiency of public initiatives in the region.