Perched on a strategic hill, Bakel Fort proudly dominates the Senegal River and neighboring Mauritania. Built between 1818 and 1853, this fort is not simply a fortification: it embodies the history and struggles of this region, a testimony to the colonial era and local resistance. Since 1960, it has also been home to the Bakel prefecture, an administrative role which reinforces its importance and its anchoring in contemporary life.
In 1854, Federbe, governor of Senegal and soldier, took the reins of the region. Although he was not directly on site, he played a decisive role in the transformation of the fort. From Saint-Louis, he supervised the modernization work, strengthening the fortifications and transforming Fort Bakel into a strategic location. Cannons are installed, facing Mauritania, ready to defend this key position.
The thick walls of the fort, equipped with loopholes, allow soldiers to monitor the surroundings while remaining protected. Through its numerous towers, such as the Pigeon Tower to the north and the Monkey Mountain Tower to the south, the fort could signal enemy movements. To the west, the Jaurice Tower, nicknamed the “all telegraph”, was a vital center for communications.
Not far from the fort is the René Caillet pavilion, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. This pavilion, which bears the name of the French explorer, is a testimony to the colonial era. René Caillet, crossing Bakel on his way to Timbuktu, left an indelible mark there. The pavilion remains a point of memory and a symbol of the history of exploration.
But Bakel was not only a place of colonization. It is also a place of resistance. In 1886, Mamadou Lamine Dramé, a man from Boundiourou (Mali), stood up against colonial oppression. After completing his pilgrimage to Mecca, he returned to his native village, where he formed an army to fight against the colonial forces. On April 12, 1886, he led his men into battle against the French, but despite their courage, French bombardments dispersed them. This act of resistance is one of the many stories of the struggle for independence.
-The construction of Bakel Fort, made with local stones, is a striking example of sustainability. Perched on a hill, it was designed to withstand bad weather, and despite the years, it remains in good condition. Its elevated location allowed it to resist flooding, a challenge that other fortifications have not always been able to overcome. This fort, made of stone and memory, still stands despite the ravages of time.
Today, the story of Fort Bakel continues to be told by enthusiasts like Idrissa Diarra, a local child. A teacher and school principal for 40 years, Idrissa chose, after his retirement in 2012, to become a tourist guide. It allows visitors to discover the fascinating history of the fort and the region. Thanks to men like him, Bakel’s legacy, rich in battles and conquests, remains alive and accessible.
Since 1960, Fort Bakel has not only been a historic site, but also the seat of the prefecture. It thus embodies the evolution of the city, going from a military symbol to a vital administrative center. The fort, with its stones and towers, continues to tell the history of the region, a story of independence, resistance and transformations. Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a place of memory and a treasure to be preserved for future generations.
