While the Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad claims not to have been informed of the critical situation in Mayotte, the ADHA is stepping up to the plate with overwhelming evidence through the press release below. The organization has collected testimonies attesting that 400 Senegalese people were left abandoned after the passage of Cyclone Chido, losing their homes and living in extreme precariousness. A Senegalese professor, a direct witness who even spoke with Emmanuel Macron, confirms that no official representative of Senegal has come forward.
“Reaction to the remarks of the so-called communications officer of the State Secretariat for Senegalese Abroad concerning the situation of Senegalese in Mayotte
Action for Human Rights and Friendship (ADHA) would like to react to the declarations of the communications officer of the State Secretariat for Senegalese Abroad, published in the newspaper EnQuête of December 21 and 22, 2024 and on the website of www.enqueteplus.com. He affirmed that the Senegalese authorities would not have been informed of the situation of the Senegalese in Mayotte, affected by the passage of Cyclone Chido.
1. Reliable information obtained by ADHA
Despite its limited resources, ADHA has collected direct testimonies confirming that nearly 400 Senegalese in Mayotte are experiencing acute distress: loss of housing, lack of assistance and extreme precariousness.
Indeed, ADHA reports, for example, the exceptional class Professor Serigne Khadimou Rassoul Thiam, Senegalese resident in Mayotte, who can provide precise information and can be reached at + 262 639 65 34 55. The latter had a physical exchange with the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, on December 18 at the Mayotte hospital. He confirms that no Senegalese official has come into contact with the 400 Senegalese in alarming distress.
2. Role and duties of the Senegalese State
It is unfortunate that ADHA, a modest organization, accessed this information while a well-resourced state secretariat was not proactive.
ADHA reminds that:
- Article 8 of the Senegalese Constitution guarantees the protection of citizens;
- The 1963 Vienna Convention requires diplomatic representations to watch over their nationals;
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights commits states to prevent and respond to crises affecting their citizens.
Waiting for an official referral, in such a context, reflects a serious failure of the duty of vigilance.
3. Call for an immediate response
ADHA urges the Senegalese authorities to initiate a proactive approach.
ADHA also invites His Excellency the President of the Republic of Senegal to express compassion and solidarity towards these compatriots in need.
« Massa »!”
