Senegalese parliamentarian Guy Marius Sagna has expressed concerns over two salt mining projects in the communes of Fimela, Djilass, and Loul Sessène. The projects, covering a total of 15,222 hectares, have sparked anxiety among local populations. Sagna made the remarks after visiting the sites and meeting with members of the Collectif pour la défense de notre patrimoine (CDP) and affected residents.
The two projects are being developed by Sen Agrocel and Royal Salt. Sen Agrocel's project spans 5,000 hectares in Fimela and Djilass, while Royal Salt's project covers 10,222 hectares in Djilass and Loul Sessène. According to Sagna, neither project was operational during his visit. The parliamentarian compared the vast tracts of land to football fields, with the first project covering an area equivalent to nearly 7,142 football fields and the second project covering approximately 14,602 football fields.
Sagna's primary concern is the potential impact on the well-being of neighboring residents. He questioned the benefits of transforming Senegalese people who currently extract salt into workers for foreign companies. "What is the point of turning Senegalese who already exploit salt into workers for foreigners who come for the same exploitation? What will happen to their fields and pastures, which they use to feed their families?" he asked.
The parliamentarian also suggested that the projects may have ulterior motives, although he provided no evidence to support this claim. Sagna's concerns echo those of the Collectif pour la défense de notre patrimoine (CDP), which had previously alerted authorities to the potential social, environmental, and economic consequences of the projects.
In a separate development, Sagna discussed restrictions imposed on the activities of PASTEF-Les Patriotes by Tivaouane Prefect Abou SOW in July 2026. Sagna had submitted a written question to the government, denouncing what he saw as an abuse of power and an attack on public liberties. The Ministry of Interior and Public Security responded, citing Law No. 78-02 of January 29, 1978, governing public gatherings.
The Ministry of Interior and Public Security provided data on restrictions on public gatherings. For the second quarter of 2026, a total of 3,575 event notifications were recorded, with only eight being restricted, representing 0.22% of the total. This compares to 1.51% in 2025. Sagna welcomed the government's response and expressed hope that such restrictions would not recur, targeting either Senegalese or non-Senegalese individuals.
Sagna's intervention highlights the need for careful consideration of the potential impacts of large-scale projects on local communities. The parliamentarian's concerns will likely be closely watched by stakeholders, including residents, companies, and government agencies.
Key points
- Guy Marius Sagna raises concerns over two salt mining projects in Senegal.
- The projects may have negative social, environmental, and economic impacts on local populations.
- Sagna also discusses restrictions on public gatherings and welcomes the government's response.
