Instead of a political rally, Jamm ak Njarin from Ndioum simply offered a festival. A full-scale event whose starting point was the announcement of the return of President Ba’s caravan. The convoy, which had traveled through the depths of the department, was expected at 7 p.m. in Ndioum.
Moment chosen by the human tide which spreads as far as the eye can see, to invade the town. She is happy. She’s excited. She sings, she dances and highlights the different facets of Haal Pulaar culture.
Thousands of hordes of individuals, of all ages, compete in ardor, across the entire extent of the commune. A forest of legs fighting over the road. No one wants to be told what’s going on. An event which, for sure, will go down in the annals of history, here in Ndioum.
Obviously, on November 17, 2024, there will be no fighting in Podor, Ndioum and the rest of the department. For many, it will only be an electoral formality in favor of Jamm ak Njarin.
Amadou Ba, like everyone in attendance, got the message well. “the mobilization and commitment of Ndioum but above all this anger and this passion of the young people go straight to my heart. Your welcome is honorable. This is a first. I passed here during the presidential election, but what I see in the department between yesterday and today, I had never seen it before.
A satisfaction which, however, does not take over his bitterness in the face of the distress of the populations bordering the river, after the flood. “Fouta faces countless difficulties, the latest of which relates to flooding. Today crops are destroyed, habitats collapsed, and human life is seriously threatened. I would have liked to set foot everywhere, to share the pain of the populations, from Fouta to Kolda via Bakel.”
The rising waters have caused a lot of damage, “hence the urgency for the authorities to show responsibility in the face of this situation which risks getting even worse.” The leader of Jamm ak Njarin once again warns the current political authorities. “This type of natural calamity will intensify in the coming years. This is why preventive measures are necessary, given the effects of climate change.”
The beautiful and strong mobilization of the Ndioumois comes at a time when the political trend is towards transhumance. Essentially debauched for cold hard cash. A non-event in the eyes of the leader of Jamm ak Njarin, who firmly believes that the populations are sufficiently mature to demonstrate to their councilors that they are making the wrong choice. “Show the Mayors who joined the ranks of power that they were wrong. Because when we guide a community we must neither let go of it nor shy away from our responsibilities. We must assume them (responsibilities) fully. And that supposes that we have an ounce of dignity to keep.”
