The joke that turned Bambali into a political stage
During a Saturday ceremony in Bambali, Ousmane Sonko, the president of Senegal’s National Assembly, used the launch of an agro-industrial project to tease Sadio Mané about a possible political run in 2029. In a light-hearted tone, Sonko warned the Senegalese international that he would find him on the campaign trail if he ever decided to enter politics.
Weah comparison and a playful challenge
Addressing the crowd, Sonko first noted that Mané stays away from politics, then raised the hypothetical candidacy by invoking former Liberian footballer and president George Weah. He then told the player, “Football is your domain, but politics is mine,” which drew laughter from those present. Sonko even joked about his ability to defeat Mané electorally, even in Mané’s own stronghold of Bambali.
No political announcement, just banter
Still, the exchange was not an announcement of any Mané candidacy. Senegalese media covering the event described it as a friendly back-and-forth within a speech where Sonko mainly praised the player’s career and his commitment to his home region.
SM10 Agro: a 11.7 billion FCFA project
The ceremony marked the launch of SM10 Agro, a project valued at 11.7 billion FCFA. Spanning around 500 hectares, the complex is designed to process mango and aims for an annual capacity of about 8,500 tonnes. Promoters say it will create more than 1,000 direct jobs at the start, with a target of up to 2,500 positions.
Sonko’s 2023 advice to Mané and the Casamance goal
Sonko described Mané as one of Senegal’s best ambassadors and recalled suggesting back in 2023 that he invest in agriculture and local processing. The project seeks to better value fruit production from Casamance and reduce post-harvest losses.
Institutional support and value chain ambitions
According to project leaders and Senegalese authorities, SM10 Agro will combine production, processing, and marketing. The initiative enjoys institutional backing, notably from APIX, as part of a policy to develop local agricultural value chains.
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