Despite receiving financial compensation and replacement plots of land, farmer P. Sarr categorically refused to vacate the site designated for state works. Prosecuted for illegal occupation and death threats against the Malicounda land chief, he maintained his innocence, claiming he was simply defending his fields—fields he has occupied for 21 years without any legal right or title. The site is on loan from the forestry service, and when the state decided to reclaim it for a public project, including road construction, the farmer refused to leave and opposed the execution of the works authorized by the government.

Worse still, he went so far as to make death threats against Bouré Diouf, the land president, and chased away surveyors with a machete. This led to his appearance before the Mbour High Court, in a summary trial.

In the village, 141 people agreed to vacate the premises, except for him. According to Bouré Diouf, the state declassified 243 hectares of land, then reclassified it to an equivalent level, allowing for the allocation of land. However, P. Sarr, like the others, received compensation of two million CFA francs, two plots of land, and a parcel for each of his two adult children.

Another 50-hectare site was also allocated to the farmers so they could continue their market gardening activities. But the defendant maintains that this new site is not suitable for him.

Tensions escalated when, according to Bouré Diouf, P. Sarr allegedly sent two audio messages containing death threats. In them, he states: "If you come back to my field, I will kill you. If you find my children, they will kill you." The recordings have been added to the case file.

But in court, P. Sarr formally denies the facts. "I haven't threatened anyone. I've only been farming for 21 years. They haven't associated me with any meetings," he argues.

Attorney Oumar Sène, representing the plaintiffs, points out that his client, like the Malicounda authorities, has repeatedly tried to reach a compromise. "Despite several negotiations and the intervention of well-intentioned individuals, P. Sarr has categorically refused to leave the premises. The site belongs to the State. The defendant has no legal right to it. The occupation is illegal, and the threats are substantiated," laments Mr. Sène.

The prosecutor's office believes that Pape Sarr tried to pressure the town hall to keep land that does not belong to him. "You took what your neighbors took and you refuse to leave. The state reclassified this site for a public need. Why make threats?" the prosecutor challenged him, demanding the strict application of the law.

The court found P. Sarr guilty on all charges and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, suspended, and a firm warning.