Fête de l'Indépendance à Thiès : Quand les rivalités d'ego menacent la célébration du 4 Avril
As the celebration of April 4th, Senegal's Independence Day, approaches, scheduled this year in Thiès, tensions are shaking the local authorities of the railway capital. Disagreements between mayors have erupted into the open, causing concern and incomprehension among the population.
The mayor of Thiès-Est, Ousmane Diagne, recently accused the city's mayor, Babacar Diop, of trying to seize control of the festivities for political gain. According to him, the interests of the people of Thiès were not being adequately considered in the preparations.
These statements have revived latent rivalries between the elected officials, at a time when the population is mainly expecting concrete economic and organizational benefits, particularly with regard to the traffic plan and the impact on local activities.
Faced with this situation, Habib Vitin, president of the "Thiès First" movement, broke his silence to call for responsibility and for transcending political divisions. For him, April 4th is a highly symbolic moment that should unite people beyond political affiliations. He expressed concern about the veiled attacks and public disputes between mayors, believing they tarnish Thiès' image.
Habib Vitin acknowledges that Babacar Diop was right to organize a forum on April 4th and to invite the mayors to a preparatory meeting. However, he considers it inappropriate for Diop to have gone alone to the Presidential Palace to present his own local grievances to the Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. According to Vitin, a collective approach would have been more appropriate. He also believes that Ousmane Diagne's media appearance did not help to ease tensions.
The president of "Thiès First" insists that the April 4th celebration must not become a platform for personal ambitions. "No one should appropriate this national ceremony. It belongs to the Senegalese people," he emphasizes. Habib Vitin calls for official coordination between the city's mayor and other mayors to ensure a harmonious and successful organization. He believes the people are more concerned with the event's positive impact than with personal rivalries.
He thus urges city officials to put an end to the controversies, particularly on social media, and to unite to preserve Thiès' image. In his view, the city must not disappoint the state on this national holiday and deserves balanced attention from the central authorities. Until April 4th, the call for unity launched by "Thiès First" serves as a reminder: the common good must take precedence over political maneuvering.
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