By : Lloyd Mahachi

Dozens of climate activists, mostly women, took to the streets of Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday to demand climate justice and a decarbonized future. The march, held ahead of the United Nations COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, aimed to highlight the devastating impact of climate change on Senegalese communities.

Cheikh Niang Faye, a former tour guide, expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite four years of activism. “Industrialized countries have caused greenhouse gas emissions, and now they owe us billions in compensation,” she said.

This year’s record-breaking floods in Senegal have affected tens of thousands of people and damaged over 1,000 hectares of crops. Activists emphasize that Africa is owed compensation for the suffering caused by climate change.

Khady Faye, an activist from the Saloum Delta region, pleaded for the protection of her community. “Leave our delta alone, leave the gas at Sangomar underground, let the community live normally. We want climate justice in the Saloum Delta.” The region has suffered devastating coastal erosion, exacerbated by the recent launch of offshore drilling at the Sangomar oil fields.

March organizer Khady Camara called on countries to respect the Paris Agreement. “It’s time for polluting countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, the root of Africa’s catastrophes.”

The COP29 summit will convene later this month, with Senegalese women and climate activists worldwide pushing for tangible action and climate justice.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi