Senegal Roundup: Plane skids off runway, Kagame visit to Senegal, illegal fishing
Plane skids off runway
A Boeing 737 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people. Footage showed the aircraft on fire and passengers jumping down emergency slides. The flight was headed to Bamako, Mali, according to Africa News. The injured were being treated at a hospital and the others were taken to a hotel to rest.
Kagame's visit to Senegal
President Paul Kagame concluded a two-day visit to Senegal, where he discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He also attended a basketball game featuring Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR Basketball Club, but Rwanda was eliminated from the tournament, reports from KT Press indicate. This is Kagame's first visit to Senegal since Faye was elected in March.
Illegal fishing
The Senegalese government has taken steps to combat illegal fishing along its coastline by publishing a list of authorized fishing vessels. This initiative aims to promote transparency and combat corrupt practices in the management of national fisheries. The Maritime Executive explained the government has also called for strengthening the Maritime Fishing Code and prioritizing support for artisanal fisherfolk. IUU fishing has been found to have a significant economic impact on the country, resulting in job loss and increased poverty.
Migrants stranded in Moroccan desert
Senegal's Consul General in Morocco, Babou Sene, has denied reports of Senegalese migrants stranded in the Moroccan desert, stating that migrants are housed in reception centres and receive medical care at the Moroccan government's expense. Sene emphasized the strong hospitality and support provided to Senegalese nationals in Morocco and highlighted the exceptional relationship between Morocco and Senegal, Morocco World News reported. He also commended Morocco's efforts in providing decent living conditions for migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Library of Léopold Senghor
Senegal has bought back the library of Léopold Senghor, the first president of independent Senegal, from France to prevent it from being auctioned off, The Black World Media reported. The collection of 344 books will be transferred to Dakar, including personally inscribed volumes by influential authors. Senegal plans to incorporate the library into a museum of Senghor's life and hopes to make digital copies of his papers available to researchers. There is some disappointment that the Senegalese state had to buy back Senghor's estate from France, but it is seen as an important part of Senegal's heritage.
