The celebration of Abdoulaye Wade's centenary continued on Sunday, May 31st, at the Maison de la Presse (Press House), with the launch and book signing of Ousmane Ngom's work, "Abdoulaye Wade: Centenary of an Exceptional Man - A Breviary for the Democratic Conquest of Rights and Freedoms." The first book by the former minister and prominent figure of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), the work brought together numerous political leaders, former colleagues of Senegal's third president, academics, close associates, and activists.

Long considered one of the leading figures of the PDS, Ousmane Ngom revisited, through this publication, several decades of political partnership with Abdoulaye Wade. The event included testimonials, speeches, and a book signing for a work presented as a collection of political texts and recollections related to the Sopi struggle.

In the room, several prominent figures from the PDS and former members of the Wade regime took part in the ceremony. Representatives of the defense and security forces were also present.

In his preface to the book, Amadou Moustapha Dieng revisited the role played by Abdoulaye Wade in the activist press and in structuring the political struggle of the Senegalese opposition. "Wade very early on grasped the crucial importance of the press in the epic battle for greater freedom, justice, and fairness," he stated. He recalled Wade's time working in newsrooms close to the PDS (Senegalese Democratic Party) and his involvement in partisan journalism: "The articles were well-received and published under the pseudonym Modou Ndongo Diop. For years, this pseudonym posed problems for the hardliners of the PS (Socialist Party), who had difficulty associating it with a face." The preface writer also mentioned his collaboration with Ousmane Ngom at the newspaper Sopi, where he was the former managing director. "My connection with Ousmane Ngom was immediate and fruitful, and a sincere friendship has bound us for over thirty years," he affirmed.

Amadou Moustapha Dieng also emphasized his relationship with Abdoulaye Wade during the years in opposition. "That was Wade's strength. He inspired everyone. He pushed everyone to strive for excellence." Returning to the workings of the newspaper Sopi, he indicated that he had enjoyed editorial autonomy under Abdoulaye Wade. "I had the distinct honor of obtaining from him complete freedom to define the editorial line of the newspaper Sopi while managing its finances with total independence. Like everyone else, Mr. Wade was discovering Sopi's editorial line," he recounted. In his address, Amadou Moustapha Dieng also called for the creation of an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the former head of state. "I was thinking of an Abdoulaye Wade foundation, and I think that Ousmane Ngom, who initiated this, must start today on this task which falls to all of us," he said.

Taking the floor in turn, Ousmane Ngom couldn't help but shed a few tears following the speeches of his predecessors. The audience responded with a thunderous and affectionate round of applause. After this emotional moment, the author presented his book as a collective account of the political journey of the PDS and President Abdoulaye Wade. "This is your story, this is our shared history. And since we share the same history, we inevitably share the same memories," he declared.

The aspiring author explained the book's subtitle: "A Breviary for the Democratic Conquest of Rights and Freedoms." "A breviary, for Christians who know, is a book one reads daily, to learn one's catechism," he stated. Ousmane Ngom also revealed that this publication is the first volume in a series of works he plans to publish. "There are others, many others on social liberalism and many more, perhaps I will publish them soon," he announced. Because, according to him, "there is a great deal to write about the path of the opposition and the state's path under President Wade."

Returning to the main character of the work, the author of the book spoke at length about Abdoulaye Wade's international career and his involvement in several African issues. He specifically mentioned the relationships he maintained with several prominent figures on the continent and the stances taken by the former Senegalese president. "Everyone who knows Abdoulaye Wade knows that he defined himself first and foremost as an African before defining himself as a Senegalese," he stated. Ousmane Ngom also recounted several episodes related to Wade's commitment to African political movements and figures on the continent. "He went to defend figures in Lusophone Africa, in Mozambique with Samora Machel and Frelimo, and in Angola with Agostinho Neto," he affirmed.

With over 30 years of close association, Ousmane Ngom has a wealth of anecdotes with President Abdoulaye Wade. He recounted a meeting in Paris with the French historian Bernard Lugan, who had just published a book in which he vilified the African continent. "He dismantled Lugan's arguments one by one. So much so that at the end of the ceremony, Lugan stood up, warmly shook his hand, and signed his book, saying to Abdoulaye Wade, 'An African standing tall,'" he explained. The former minister also spoke about the ties between Abdoulaye Wade and Palestine, mentioning a visit to Yasser Arafat in Tunisia. "We stayed two weeks with President Arafat, who was so pleased with President Abdoulaye Wade's visit," he said.

According to him, Abdoulaye Wade “was a multidimensional man” who “made Africa respected by the entire world.” Ousmane Ngom also recalled certain economic initiatives launched under Wade’s presidency after the 2007-2009 international financial crisis. “That’s how he came to power and launched GOANA, the major agricultural offensive for food and abundance,” he explained. He also cited the REVA plan, designed to encourage a return to agriculture. During his speech, the author defended the idea of a shared political legacy centered on the figure of Abdoulaye Wade. “Abdoulaye Wade cannot be privatized. He is a common heritage,” he asserted, echoing remarks attributed to Moustapha Guirassy.

The former minister revealed that he had given the first copy of his book to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. "I told him: 'President Diomaye, I dedicate this book to you because you are the symbol of the youth in power so dear to President Abdoulaye Wade,'" he declared. The second copy was sent to Abdou Diouf, a former political opponent of Abdoulaye Wade. Ousmane Ngom recounted speaking with the former head of state after receiving the book. Ngom, believing he hadn't held back in his criticism of Senegal's second president in the book, anticipated a heated conversation. "I truly want to begin by apologizing because I attacked you quite harshly," he reportedly told him at the start of their exchange. According to Ngom, Abdou Diouf displayed magnanimity by replying, "That's politics, it's normal."

The author then addressed the relationship between political opponents in Senegal. “We may be political opponents because we may have different opinions. But beyond all that, what unites us is our attachment to our country,” he stated. He called on Senegalese people “to talk to each other” and “above all, to listen to each other,” asserting that the country possessed “exceptional human resources.”

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The book's back cover presents it as the story of "a unique political trajectory at the heart of Senegal's contemporary history." The text describes Ousmane Ngom as "a fellow activist in the Sopi movement alongside Abdoulaye Wade" and the author of texts devoted to "rupture, responsibility, and democratic conquest." The document also indicates that the texts gathered in this volume constitute "the living memory of a struggle, the story of a conquest, and an invitation to reflect, even today, on the meaning and requirements of Senegalese democracy."