Senegal Roundup: AFCON buildup, immigration issues, arrests
Immigration to Spain
Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs, and Small and Medium Enterprises, Abdou Karim Fofana said that only 2% of boats from Africa that arrive in Spain and the Canaries are from Senegal. According to him, Senegal is the 18th largest source of immigrants globally with migrants travelling to seek greener pastures in other countries. “When we migrate, it's not because we don't have anything, it's not because we don't have something. It's true that many people migrate for economic reasons because they haven't found a job, not because they have nothing. There is a difference between us having nothing and wanting to live better,” he was quoted by Le Quotidien.
Fake prison officer arrested
A fake prison officer has been arrested by Plateau police in Senegal for posing as an adjutant after his release from prison. The imposter, Mr. Lô was arrested and imprisoned in 2023 after his involvement in a theft incident in his workshop. After serving his 5-month sentence, he was released on December 30 but was rearrested on January 2 after visiting families of his former inmates and promising them of facilitating presidential pardon for them. In this self-imposed position, Mr. Lô extracted various amounts of money from unsuspecting families of these people. The case is since under investigation, according to Seneweb.
Sonko's candidacy invalidated
Senegal’s Supreme Court has invalidated opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s appeal against a libel conviction that may make his candidacy null and void in the upcoming presidential elections in February. Ousmane was vying to succeed President Macky Sall who has stepped down after two terms as president. His candidacy was overturned for incomplete files, and the absence of the certificate from the Caisse des Dépôts et des Consignations, a public sector financial institution in Senegal. He was to contest against his main opponent Amadou Ba, according to the local media platform Senego.
AFCON preparations
A list of twenty-seven players expected to participate in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been released by National Coach Aliou Cissé. Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Youssouf Sabaly, Abdoulaye Seck, Formose Mendy, Fodé Ballo Touré and Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye will provide defence while Idrissa Gana Guèye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr, Pathé Ciss, Pape Guèye, Krépin Diatta and Nampalys Mendy play midfield. Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Ilimane Ndiaye, Habib Diallo, Abdallah Sima and Boulaye Dia will be attackers and the goalkeepers are Edouard Mendy, Seny Dieng, according to local news platform Enquete+. The AFCON will be hosted by Ivory Coast beginning January 2024.
Clean energy projects
Asharami Energy Senegal, a leading provider of energy solutions and a Sahara Group company, has provided a clean and sustainable solar energy solution to the Daaray Serigne Saliou Mbacke orphanage, Seneweb reported. The project will save up to 500,000 CFA (US$ 834) in monthly electricity bills for the orphanage located in Kounoune which houses over 100 children. The project forms efforts by the Sahara Group to promote clean and sustainable energy in Africa. According to Nana Yaw Asare Adu, Country Manager of Asharami Energy, the project involved the installation of 24 solar panels and 24 solar batteries to power all electrical appliances at the orphanage, including air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines.
