Bambali fallout: how Sonko’s 2029 jab at Sadio Mané sparked a national debate
Bambali fallout: how Sonko’s 2029 jab at Sadio Mané sparked a national debate
At Bambali, Ousmane Sonko used the laying of the foundation stone for the SM10 Agro agro-industrial project on Saturday to tease Sadio Mané about a possible political entry in 2029. The president of the National Assembly joked that the Senegalese international would then find him on his path.
In front of the crowd, Ousmane Sonko recalled that Sadio Mané does not do politics, before raising the possibility of a future candidacy by citing the example of former footballer and Liberian president George Weah. He then told the player: “Football is you, but politics is me,” prompting laughter from those present. Sonko even joked about his ability to beat him at the ballot box even in his Bambali stronghold.
However, the sequence does not constitute any announcement of a Sadio Mané candidacy. Senegalese media present reported it as a good-natured exchange, inserted into a speech in which Sonko mainly praised the player’s career and his investment in his home region.
The ceremony concerned the launch of SM10 Agro, a project valued at 11.7 billion CFA francs. Located on about 500 hectares, the complex is notably intended to process mango and aims for an annual capacity of around 8,500 tonnes. Promoters announce more than 1,000 direct jobs at startup, with a target of up to 2,500 jobs.
Ousmane Sonko presented Sadio Mané as one of Senegal’s best ambassadors and recalled having suggested to him as early as 2023 to invest in agriculture and local processing. The project aims in particular to better valorize fruit production in Casamance and reduce post-harvest losses.
According to project officials and Senegalese authorities, SM10 Agro must combine production, processing, and marketing. The initiative benefits from institutional support, notably from APIX, within the framework of the policy for developing local agricultural value chains.