A high-level dialogue between Mali, Guinea, and Senegal opened on the sidelines of COP 29 around the protection of river basins, particularly the Senegal River which they share.
On the sidelines of COP29 on climate change, a meeting of member countries of the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) brought together the environment ministers of Mali, Guinea, and Senegal for a high-level panel dedicated to the protection of river basins. Led by Mamadou Samaké, Malian Minister of the Environment, this dialogue allowed the three countries to share their respective initiatives to preserve their water resources, particularly affected by human activities and climate change.
The Minister of the Environment of Guinea opened the discussion by presenting her country’s actions for the protection of the Fouta Djallon massif, source of important rivers in West Africa, including Senegal. By exposing the measures to preserve the ecosystems of Fouta Djallon, she insisted on the importance of this region, not only for its natural wealth, but also for its role as an essential water reserve for several downstream countries. She highlighted reforestation initiatives and efforts to reduce the impact of agricultural and mining activities that degrade this vital environment.
For his part, the Minister of the Environment of Senegal, for his part, alerted the audience to the consequences of the rapid rise in water levels in the Bakel region. He explained the emergency measures taken to protect local populations, including the construction of dikes and sanitation facilities. The efforts deployed, financed by national and international programs, aim not only to protect homes, but also to mitigate agricultural losses due to flooding, a phenomenon worsened by climate change.
The Falémé, a threatened river in Mali
Mamadou Samaké, Malian Minister of the Environment, painted a grim picture of the current state of the Falémé, a major tributary of the Senegal River. Faced with illegal exploitation, notably dredging activities for gold extraction, this watercourse now finds itself in danger. Minister Samaké recalled the importance of Mali’s new Mining Code which strictly prohibits dredging and any form of mining on the country’s waterways, including the Falémé. He reiterated the urgent need to protect this tributary, essential for local communities and for the ecosystem of the Senegal River as a whole.
Beyond local measures, Minister Samaké highlighted the need for closer cross-border cooperation. He explained how illegal operators, fleeing repression in Senegal, cross the borders to Mali or Mauritania to continue their activities. To deal with this situation, the minister proposed strengthening cooperation between the three countries, including a right of pursuit allowing authorities to cross borders to apprehend offenders.
In a final plea, Minister Samaké proposed the establishment of a rescue project for Falémé under the aegis of the OMVS. This project would involve monitoring actions, ecological rehabilitation, and awareness raising among local communities. Samaké insisted on the need for international funding to guarantee the sustainability of this project, while recalling that the preservation of Falémé is a question of survival for local populations and for the biodiversity of the region.
MD/Sf/ac/APA
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