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MAURITANIA-SENEGAL-MIGRATION / Mauritania: Senegalese nationals demand the creation of a Senegalese school in Nouakchott – Senegalese press agency

From the APS special correspondent, Souleymane Faye

Nouakchott, January 14 (APS) – Leaders of associations of Senegalese nationals living in Mauritania demanded from the Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, Monday, in Nouakchott, the opening of a Senegalese school in this city and legal assistance to those of them living in the prisons of this neighboring country.

According to Assane Guèye and Ngoné Ndione, two of the leaders of these associations, the satisfaction of the first demand will allow the Senegalese to better educate their children.

They welcomed the promise made by the Prime Minister, during his general policy declaration, to create a “high authority” responsible for Senegalese living abroad and to extend the validity period of passports from five to ten years. Senegalese.

Ousmane Sonko met hundreds of Senegalese at the Palais des Congrès in Nouakchott, during his working visit to Mauritania.

The leaders of associations of Senegalese nationals established in Mauritania also want legal assistance to be provided to their compatriots living in Mauritania’s prisons. ”We ask you to ensure that the imprisoned Senegalese, some of whom are sentenced to life in prison, are assisted by lawyers,” said Ngoné Ndione.

”We ask the Senegalese to respect the laws of the countries where they live”

A Senegalese delegate from Nouadhibou called for the appointment of a Senegalese consul general for this city, replacing the honorary consul.

”We have never seen a Senegalese authority in Nouadhibou. Former President Abdoulaye Wade is the only Senegalese leader to have visited his compatriots in this city,” he said, rejoicing at the announcement of Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Nouadhibou this Tuesday.

The Senegalese community of the said city, the largest in the country after Nouakchott, also asked the Prime Minister to provide an ambulance.

Ngoné Ndione wants Senegal Dem Dikk buses to regularly transport passengers between Mauritania and Senegal.

Responding to the grievances of Senegalese nationals living in Mauritania, Ousmane Sonko promised to “facilitate their stay and establishment” in this country. ”This will be done with respect for the sovereignty and laws of the countries where Senegalese nationals live,” said Mr. Sonko.

”We do not accept that injustices are inflicted on Senegalese people, we do not want their rights to be violated. We also ask the Senegalese to respect the laws of the countries where they live,” Mr. Sonko recommended to his compatriots.

”Whatever you may say, you live in peace in Mauritania. None of you are being tortured here. You are welcome here,” he told them, adding, ”We must respect and treat foreigners living among us well.”

The Prime Minister declares that ”it is difficult for [le gouvernement] to know how many Senegalese live in Mauritania”. Efforts will be made to find out how many there are, he assured.

”With Mauritania, we must have good relations”

”We are not here for political reasons. We are here as Prime Minister of Senegal. We are here on behalf of all Senegalese people,” he said, addressing his compatriots, among whom activists from Pastef, the ruling party, were present in large numbers.

”We have opted for pan-Africanism, which leads us to start our policy of cooperation with the neighbors,” recalled Ousmane Sonko, adding: ”With Mauritania, we must have good relations.”

He welcomed the “openness” and “availability of the Mauritanian authorities” towards their counterparts in Senegal.

In addition to their geographic proximity, Senegal and Mauritania share natural resources, including the natural gas deposit located on their common maritime border, which they have decided to exploit together, he said.

Ousmane Sonko arrived in Nouakchott on Sunday evening for a two-day official visit devoted to energy, transport, security and migration.

For this visit, also known as friendship and work, he is accompanied by several ministers, including Yassine Fall, in charge of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, and Jean Baptiste Tine, that of the Interior and Public Security.

Birame Souleye Diop, the Minister of Energy, Oil and Mines, Yankhoba Diémé, the Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport, and Fatou Diouf, the Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure, are taking part.

The delegation led by Ousmane Sonko also includes the directors general of the National Agency responsible for the promotion of investments and major works, Bakary Séga Bathily, and of the Société des Petroles du Senegal, Alioune Guèye.

ESF/MTN

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