On September 26, 2026, Senegal's Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô led a commemoration ceremony in Ziguinchor to mark the 24th anniversary of the Joola ferry disaster. The tragedy occurred on September 26, 2002, when the ferry capsized off the coast of Gambia, resulting in the loss of nearly 2,000 lives. The Prime Minister expressed deep compassion and solidarity with the families of the victims and the survivors.
In his address, Prime Minister Lô emphasized the importance of remembering the victims and learning from the tragedy. He stated that the memory of the Joola should serve as a permanent call to responsibility and protection of human life. The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of the National Joola Memorial Museum, which serves as a place of dignity, reflection, and transmission to future generations.
Prime Minister Lô announced that the government would take immediate measures to ensure that the families of the victims and survivors have permanent and dignified access to the memorial. He stressed that it is essential to give a face to the victims, rather than just numbers. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to teach young generations the value of life, the sense of duty, and respect for rules.
The Prime Minister recalled that the Joola disaster highlights the responsibility of the state, administrations, professionals, and citizens. He emphasized that serving the state means being accountable for one's actions, respecting rules, and rejecting negligence. The Prime Minister also drew attention to the ongoing risks that threaten populations at sea, including overcrowded fishing pirogues and uncontrolled maritime traffic.
Prime Minister Lô reaffirmed that the government's priorities include ensuring navigation safety, rigorous control of boats, systematic use of life jackets, and strengthening rescue capacities at sea. He called for the memorial to be a living space, open to knowledge, culture, and transmission. The Prime Minister invited relevant ministries to continue working with local authorities, communities, and associations to promote the memorial.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the families of the victims, associations of survivors, and individuals who contributed to the rescue efforts. He acknowledged the courage of rescuers, fishermen, healthcare personnel, defense and security forces, and volunteers who were mobilized in the aftermath of the disaster. The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to Sokhna Gaye, administrator of the National Joola Memorial Museum, for her commitment to the memorial.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Lô called on the nation to transform the pain of the past into lessons for the future and to make memory a renewed commitment to life and prevention of tragedies. He emphasized that while the past cannot be changed, the nation can decide how to use the lessons learned from the Joola disaster. The commemoration ceremony serves as a reminder of the importance of memory and responsibility in preventing similar tragedies.
Key points
- Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô calls for memory of Joola ferry disaster to be a responsibility.
- Government to ensure permanent access to National Joola Memorial Museum for families of victims and survivors.
- Prime Minister emphasizes need for safety measures to prevent similar maritime tragedies.
