Litige foncier à Sébikotane : les populations défendent leur forêt classée
This Monday, communities living near the Sébikotane classified forest expressed their firm opposition to a memorandum of understanding signed between environmental authorities and Holding Gueye SA. This document, considered opaque and illegal, is seen as an attempt at disguised privatization of forest land, in disregard of local people's rights, current legislation, and ecological balance.
The analysis of the protocol raises many questions, namely suspicions of corruption weighing on several administrative bodies, notably the Diamniadio town hall, the Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Water and Forests. Residents denounce a repetition of dubious practices, already observed in other land disputes involving Holding Gueye SA.
A member of the citizens' collective, Demba Ba explains: "We have suspicions of corruption. It's a scandal, because it concerns 115 hectares. This holding company is known for appropriating other people's land. We haven't forgotten the precedent of the Mbao classified forest under the former regime. These lands are important to us. The people must take precedence over private companies."
Suspicions of corruption and worrying precedents
Faced with what they consider a direct threat to their land and environmental heritage, local communities are making specific demands, including the immediate cessation of all activities related to the protocol, the suspension of the authorization to start work, signed by Daouda Ngom, chief of staff of the outgoing minister, the withdrawal of construction machinery and the vacating of the base occupied by Holding Gueye SA, the referral to the State General Inspectorate and OFNAC for an investigation into the conditions for awarding the protocol, the organization of an inclusive consultation with local stakeholders to decide the future of the classified forest, the examination of the request for declassification of 98 hectares, formulated by the surrounding villages in 2018 and reiterated in 2021, in a logic of community development.
The population warns that any attempt to force its way through will engage the legal liability of Holding Gueye SA and the signatory authorities. They reaffirm that no concessions will be granted until the protocol is annulled and the company withdraws from the territory.
Commentaires (3)
un zoo se mérite
Dans 10 ans 20 ans, il n'y aura plus de zone agricole dans tout le Sénégal ni de foret. Surtout Dakar et Touba. À Dakar n'existe plus d'espace pour agriculture ni foret. Même si on confiait le pays aux chimpanzés, ils feraient mieux car ce niveau d'anarchie et d'accaparement des terres, personne ne peut le comprendre et l'état est le principal responsable. Les générations dans 50 ans ne trouveront rien dans ce pays sur le foncier. L'état doit arrêter de donner les terres aux promoteurs privés et confier toutes les constructions à la sicap et hlm.
Les actes administratifs (protocole, validation ministérielle) doivent être conformes aux lois et règlements en vigueur. Une forêt classée est régie par des dispositions spécifiques du Code forestier et du Code de l'environnement.
Le déclassement d'une forêt est une procédure légale stricte, généralement prononcée par décret, et soumise à des conditions précises, notamment un motif d'intérêt général et l'avis de commissions spécialisées
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