Senegal: People unite against air pollution and demand concrete actions

Thousands of Senegalese have taken to the streets of Dakar, waving colorful placards and shouting alarms to denounce an invisible threat that is slowly but surely spreading through their lungs: air pollution. It’s a fight that doesn’t make headlines, but it has a direct impact on public health. The situation has been widely discussed, but what is the government really doing about this health crisis?

The fury of an exasperated people

As the government announced statistics on economic growth, protesters pointed out that air quality is not living up to expectations. “We no longer want empty promises, but concrete actions for our health!” they chanted. Wearing masks, a symbol of modern times, protesters expressed their concerns about rapid urbanization, vehicle fumes and an industry that seems to ignore environmental considerations.

Friends of the environment or opportunists?

The political leaders present in the crowd found an opportunity to present themselves as environmental champions. But isn't it a bit easy to wrap oneself in this costume when, in the past, we have let environmental protection laws lie dormant in drawers? Some citizens fear that this mobilization is only a decoy, a bad play by political actors who are trying to weigh in on an already unbalanced scale.

A fight that goes beyond borders

Beyond Senegal, air pollution is a problem that plagues many African cities. Environmental activists are concerned about the devastating health consequences, with lung and cardiovascular diseases on the rise. The growing distrust of populations towards institutions is also a cry from the heart for other countries on the continent. The Senegalese are not only acting for themselves, but to inspire a collective awareness that could transcend borders.

The world is watching, attentively. Today’s protests are not just a cry of anger, but a call to action that resonates in ways that decision-makers can no longer ignore. The fight against pollution is only just beginning, and it promises to be as tumultuous as it needs to be.