The second personality of the state, El Malick Ndiaye made, yesterday, Sunday January 19, a firm commitment to ensure that the concerns of the Senegalese community based in Ivory Coast are addressed.
He stressed, with this in mind, that concrete responses will be provided with particular attention to the repatriation of the bodies of Senegalese people who died on Ivorian soil. It was during a meeting with Senegalese religious authorities, as a prelude to the opening, this Monday, January 20, of the first parliamentary session of Ivory Coast, where he is participating as guest of honor.
According to Oustaz Talla Faye, the secretary of the collective of Senegalese imams, this issue is close to their hearts. “We left satisfied with this meeting. We discussed several points but the main one concerns the repatriation of Senegalese remains which is expensive. You must pay at least 4 million CFA francs to take the necessary steps. After a certain number of years, bodies can be dug up and buried in mass graves as stipulated by the law in force here. We have always requested a state subsidy, the President of the National Assembly gave us a positive response, we remain hopeful,” he indicated.
Questioned at the end of this audience, Father Sébastien Diémé, on mission in Ivory Coast since 2015, encourages, for his part, the new authorities to maintain this dynamic. “We want a Senegal which preserves its identity, which remains united and sets milestones for better respect for religious principles. The president also made us understand that the State has not forgotten us, we thank it for this mark of consideration. The meeting was fruitful. We have always wanted authorities that are close and accessible to populations. May they continue to visit the diaspora from time to time. We are one and indivisible.”
-Matel BOCOUM
Senegal
