2023-08-17 20:50:18
The canoe had left Fass Boye, north of Dakar, on July 10 with a hundred people on board. They were all Senegalese except for one Bissau-Guinean. The boat was missing and was finally found Monday off the Cape Verde archipelago. Cape Verde is on the road to the Canary Islands, the most frequent destination for would-be emigrants.
Among the passengers, 63 people died according to the IOM, and 38 survived, including 4 children. Fass Boye, the fishing village from which the canoe left, is in mourning. Many passengers came from this locality and families are looking for news of their loved ones.
On Wednesday, groups of young people vented their anger by attacking public buildings. They blame the Senegalese authorities for not having done anything to rescue the boat, points out our correspondent in Dakar, Juliet Dubois. The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured to work for the repatriation of its nationals “ as soon as possible ».
Alexandre Guibert Lette, executive director of Teranga Lab – a citizen association specializing in issues of climate change and its consequences on local fishing – calls on the authorities to take immediate action in the face of the multiplication of these shipwrecks.
RFI: What are the reasons that led these people to attempt this crossing and ultimately to lose their lives?
Alexandre Guibert Lette: We can indeed question the effects [du changement climatique, NDLR] on the fishing sector, which is very important. In recent years, many fishermen have had to leave their activity to attempt the perilous journey to Europe, simply because the sea is no longer full of fish. These departures are becoming frequent. It’s starting to be a carnage and it’s time to put this macabre news in front of the national news.
What does this tragedy say about the situation of emigration in Senegal ?
Life is extremely expensive. Things are getting harder and harder. A lot of young people no longer find themselves in the state project, which means that there is no other solution than to take off. If there is no real policy in favor of youth to improve the situation of these young people, the sea will unfortunately continue to be a cemetery for a good part of African youth.
What do you think of the new national strategy against irregular emigration announced by the Senegalese government?
For the moment, this new strategy is not effective. A week ago, a migrant boat was accosted by the police. There was an unfortunate drama, since the police would have fired. There was one death. I don’t think this strategy can really work. We must take the time to discuss with the communities, strengthen the means of raising awareness and find sustainable alternatives for the fishermen and the communities who are impacted today by the questions of global warming and who cannot make ends meet. , because of the high cost of living. Senegal is more than 700 km of Atlantic coastline. You can’t post a policeman every kilometer, that’s not possible.
What are your demands to improve the situation?
Senegal is heading in six months towards a presidential election, we can’t wait to see this subject crystallize the attention of decision-makers. What we are calling on the authorities today is to really take charge of this problem. It is time for the State of Senegal, starting with the President of the Republic, Macky Sall, to take strong measures to stem this phenomenon.
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