A latent tension threatens to shake the community of Affiniam if the authorities do not intervene quickly. At the heart of the conflict are land management and the development structure of this locality in the municipality of Mangagoulack, currently in the hands of members of the former council, who are strongly criticized by a large part of the population.

Various branches of the association at the local, regional (Ziguinchor), national (Dakar), and diaspora levels, as well as delegations from the neighborhoods, gathered in the village square. They are raising concerns about the allocation of land to a private cooperative, the terms of which have not been disclosed to the community, on plots of land that actually belong to families.

According to the current president, chosen following an initiative by young people after several unanswered appeals regarding management and accountability, the previous members of the Association for the Development of Affiniam failed in their mission.

Joël Sagna, the current president of the Association for the Development of Affiniam, stated: “If we do not receive a swift and constructive response from the Sub-Prefect, we are prepared to escalate this matter immediately to his superior, and if necessary, to the highest levels of government. The people of Affiniam, both at home and abroad, have waited long enough. It is unacceptable that we remain shackled by the continued contempt of a power-hungry group that refuses to respect the will of the village, including the peaceful transfer of responsibilities to this new, broadly and democratically elected council, whose role will be restored to guiding and overseeing, not to managing the village's day-to-day affairs and thus creating inconceivable conflicts of interest.”

According to residents, the development work carried out by the "Eronghène Etam" cooperative, in collusion with the outgoing board and certain neighborhood representatives, was the last straw. This earthmoving work on family rice paddies, performed without prior notification, consultation, or the consent of the owners, provoked the anger of the local population and the various sections of the association.

The new local team considers this project to be a blatant act of confiscation and theft of rice paddies belonging to several families. Faced with this situation, Joël Sagna and his team demand an immediate halt to all earthworks and the full disclosure of all signed documents related to this project, while also calling for broad consultation with all the landowning families.

The young people are also demanding the immediate and complete suspension of all work, in accordance with the Assembly's decision, an official and notarized census of the plots, and the establishment of emergency mediation involving the Ministries of Agriculture and the Interior. Finally, they suggest initiating a land tenure security procedure, through individual titles or municipal resolutions, coupled with an assessment and compensation for damages already incurred.

A solemn appeal is made to the authorities of the Republic, to human rights defenders and to the diaspora for a swift resolution of this matter, in order to preserve peace and social cohesion in Affiniam.