Alioune sarr outlines bold vision for Senegal’s future, champions territorial development and diaspora engagement

From the bustling streets of Paris to the communities of Massy and Creil, Alioune SARR, President of the Alliance pour le Sénégal / Andando Ngir Senegaal (APS/ANS), embarked on an impactful European tour. His mission: to galvanize the Senegalese diaspora around a transformative new pact centered on strong territories, active diaspora participation, and national sovereignty.

During his extensive engagements across France, Mr. SARR personally connected with Senegalese residents, visiting homes and community hubs. Notable stops included the Foyer Les Mûriers in Paris’s 20th arrondissement and Massy in the Essonne department. These intimate gatherings provided platforms for candid discussions on Senegal’s challenges, the diaspora’s aspirations, and the vast development potential within the nation’s diverse regions. The direct interactions allowed President SARR to attentively listen to the concerns of his compatriots abroad and gather their invaluable proposals for enhancing Senegal’s economic, social, and territorial advancement.

significant mobilization in creil

The tour garnered significant momentum in Creil, located in the Oise department within Hauts-de-France, where Senegalese residents demonstrated robust support for the Alliance pour le Sénégal’s vision. The meeting was expertly led by Ms. Amy Faye, the Alliance pour le Sénégal’s political leader in France, who united compatriots from Creil and surrounding areas around President Alioune SARR’s strategic directives and the party’s overarching political agenda.

Ms. Faye commended President SARR’s unwavering dedication to the diaspora, reiterating the critical importance of Senegalese abroad actively contributing to the nation’s future. The diverse audience, comprising community leaders, workers, students, entrepreneurs, and families, expressed keen interest in the detailed proposals focusing on regional development, productive investment, and strengthening economic sovereignty – key aspects of effective governance Africa.

a powerful message to the political class

Throughout his tour, Alioune SARR consistently emphasized his conviction that Senegal requires a refreshed model of governance, one rooted in dialogue, accountability, and collective nation-building. For the APS President, national development challenges transcend partisan divides, demanding the unified mobilization of all vital forces within the nation. He declared, « We may be political adversaries, but we must never be enemies of the Republic. » He urged all political stakeholders to prioritize solutions, national interest, and economic growth above mere positional disputes, fostering a more constructive African politics.

addressing the limits of a centralized model

A central theme emerging from this tour was the urgent need to re-evaluate public policies through the lens of regional realities. Alioune SARR argued that decades of excessively centralized development have reached their limits, concentrating investment and opportunities disproportionately in a few major urban centers. « When everything is decided at the center, the territories wait. When the territories decide and act, the country advances. » He stressed that Senegal must now empower its local authorities to foster more equitable and inclusive growth, crucial for sustainable Senegal territorial development.

Dakar and the territories: a unified national ambition

Rejecting any notion of opposition between Dakar and the rest of the country, Alioune SARR articulated a vision founded on the inherent complementarity of all regions. He eloquently stated, « Dakar is the heart of Senegal, but the territories are its lungs. No country can breathe fully with only one lung. It is together, through the complementarity of all our territories, that we will build a sovereign, prosperous, and balanced Senegal. » He believes that Senegal’s development can only be truly sustainable if every region is empowered to leverage its unique resources, generate employment, and attract vital investments. « When Dakar beats stronger and the territories breathe better, all of Senegal grows. »

notto diobasse smart city: a model for regional transformation

Drawing on the experience of Notto Diobasse Smart City, Alioune SARR presented this initiative as a tangible illustration of the transformative potential of Senegal’s regions. He posited that the nation’s progress hinges on establishing regional hubs for production, innovation, training, industrialization, and services. « Senegal will not develop from Dakar towards the territories. It will develop from the territories towards Dakar. » For the APS President, each region must evolve into a driving force for national development, contributing significantly to collective wealth creation.

land as capital for development

During his discussions, Alioune SARR also emphasized the necessity of a fundamental shift in perspective regarding land ownership and use. For him, land represents a strategic capital asset that must be valorized for the benefit of both present and future generations. « A hectare has value not because it is sold. It has value because it is developed. » Comparing the sale of undeveloped land to the export of raw materials, he advocated for a development paradigm focused on transformation that generates employment and wealth. « Rich nations do not sell their resources. They transform them. » He concluded, « Selling land is consuming the future. Developing land is building the future. » This perspective is vital for strengthening economic sovereignty in Africa.

the diaspora: a strategic development partner

Throughout his tour, Alioune SARR underscored the pivotal role the diaspora must play in Senegal’s progress. He passionately urged Senegalese living abroad to transition into active investors, builders, and partners in regional development. « The Diaspora is not an ATM. The Diaspora is an open-air Ministry of Development. » He firmly believes that Senegal’s future rests upon a robust alliance between its territories, the diaspora, youth, women, entrepreneurs, and local communities, reflecting a holistic approach to society Africa.

a new national pact

Concluding his impactful tour, the President of the Alliance pour le Sénégal issued a compelling call for the establishment of a new national pact, built upon three foundational pillars:

• Strong and empowered territories;
• A mobilized and engaged diaspora;
• Assumed economic sovereignty.

The enthusiastic turnout observed in Paris, Massy, and Creil unequivocally confirms the growing interest among Senegalese abroad in issues of regional development and their strong desire to actively participate in Senegal’s transformation. President Alioune SARR encapsulated his tour’s ethos with these powerful words: « We did not come to manage the future. We came to build it. » This commitment to independent African journalism captures the aspirations of many within African politics.