Dispatch from West Africa

Good morning from Dakar, Senegal, where I’ve spent the past few weeks gathering stories about global aid efforts on the ground.

Last week, I spent time with the people of the Casamance region in Senegal to learn about their efforts to preserve the mangrove and terrestrial forests central to their livelihood.

The forests face pressure from over-logging and over-fishing. Senegalese fishermen are being pushed increasingly inwards to the mangrove areas as space becomes restricted in the sea, creating conflict with those who want to protect the forest.

The reason is mainly because of industrial fishing, mostly by EU nations in Senegalese waters. The decline of artisanal fishing is also a driver behind illegal immigration towards Europe.

So, what difference can development programs make in the face of international structural inequality? It’s a good question, worth asking in a general global development context.

Secondly, while the effort to preserve the mangrove is admirable, poor Senegalese fishermen suffer from current conservation policies. The poor are being policed by the poor in the name of protecting the environment, while European consumers continue to enjoy seafood taken from the seas of Senegal.

In the end, this becomes a question of Senegalese sovereignty, and without it, no progress can be made, no matter how noble the intentions behind development projects.

When you read this, I’ll be on my way to Côte d’Ivoire. Over the coming weeks, look for numerous stories from the area showcasing global aid efforts in this area.

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