On the occasion of the International Day of Living Together, celebrated this May 16 in Ziguinchor, the Federation of Religious Associations and Communities in Casamance (FEDARCC), led by Chérif Cheikh Boun Chamsidine Aïdara, launched a solemn appeal for resilience and peace, in the face of the crisis shaking the top of the State.

Bringing together imams, priests, traditional leaders, associations, defense and security forces, as well as youth and women involved in development, FEDARCC celebrated this day declared by the United Nations. For its president, this celebration is an opportunity to reaffirm the values of interreligious dialogue, fraternity, and mediation, essential to national cohesion.

“We believe that this day belongs to us, that this day is an opportunity for our federation to celebrate peace, to celebrate living together in peace,” said Chérif Aïdara, recalling that Casamance knows all too well the price of crises and conflicts.

Faced with political tensions, he stressed the need for a new attitude: "The first thing, the attitude that must be adopted, is one of resilience. Summarizing resilience is not easy, but having resilient behavior is more important."

The president of FEDARCC directly addressed the highest authorities: "The President of the Republic must be resilient. The Prime Minister must also be resilient. They must embrace the values of resilience, the values of the International Day of Living Together, to guide Senegal onto the best possible path."

In a context where, in his words, "Senegalese people are no longer sleeping, Senegalese people are afraid," Chérif Aïdara made a heartfelt plea: "We do not want our country, at the highest levels of government, to experience such situations. We call on President Diomaye and President Ousmane Sonko to be resilient, to seize this day, and to make peace."

By celebrating this international day at the local level, FEDARCC reminds us that resilience is not only an individual virtue, but a national imperative. For its members, "thinking peace, speaking peace, and acting for peace" is the only way to reassure vulnerable citizens and preserve the cohesion of Senegal.