In PICTURES. A white march in tribute to Kimaël, 16, killed in Pointe-à-Pitre, on the sidelines of the carnival

In the city center of Pointe-à-Pitre, at the very place where Kimaël Ouikede fell, dozens of people gathered this Saturday, January 25, 2025. Wreaths of flowers were placed at the scene of the attack on the young boy.

This stop was planned as part of a white march aimed at saying “Stop the violence“which is plaguing the department.

The procession left at 8:00 a.m. from the roundabout on Boulevard Gerty Archimède (at the foot of the Morne de Grand-Camp), went up Boulevard Légitimus, entered Rue Frébault, crossed Rue Peynier, then Rue Léonard, to finish at the kiosk on Place de la Victoire, where a safety awareness village has been set up.

The faces were closed. Among the participants, there were several young people, as well as elected officials, including MEP Rody Tolassy and the mayor of Pointe-à-Pitre Harry Durimel.
Only the sound of conch shells resonated, until the walkers sang in homage to Kimaël : “Alive[Kimaël] you can traveled”.

Conch shells and singing in tribute to Kimaël, 16 years old, killed on the sidelines of the carnival in Pointe-à-Pitre – 01/25/2025.

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©Christian Danquin – Guadeloupe La 1ère

We hope that the carnival will be a moment of respite, a moment of joy, a moment of joy, a moment of love, of peace, that's it ! And this is the message we want to send !

Harry Durimel, mayor of Pointe-à-Pitre

Harry Durimel, mayor of Pointe-à-Pitre

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©Lydia Quérin and Christian Danquin – Guadeloupe La 1ère

Kimaël was 16 years old. Around 10:30 p.m., on Sunday January 12, on the sidelines of a carnival parade, he was stabbed several times, in the middle of rue Frebault and was pursued by his attackers into a business where he had found refuge. He died of his injuries the following night in hospital.

The teenager's funeral took place Thursday in Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante. His mother did not have the strength to enter the church, alongside her son's body lying in a coffin.

Today, Brigitte Ouikede is determined to contribute to actions to combat violence ; the resulting tragedies generate too much suffering for the victims and their loved ones.

I call on young people to have fun and not get involved in violence. Parents, take your responsibilities. I also send an appeal to the elected officials of Guadeloupe, so that they can do the necessary work, so that tomorrow, we never hear again that another young person has fallen. Government, do your job properly ! There, I am waiting for justice for my son and I want these young people to be punished for what they did !

Brigitte Ouikede, mother of Kimaël

Brigitte Ouikede, mother of Kimaël

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©Lydia Quérin and Christian Danquin – Guadeloupe La 1ère