Falémé: a mission to save a river in danger

Three speakers at a public session — Joint CADRE – IBP mission in Bakel

Bakel (Senegal) – From 3 to 7 August 2025, a joint mission of CADRE and International Budget Partnership (IBP) Senegal visited the department of Bakel to raise awareness, listen and mobilise around the Falémé.

Key points

Mission stages: Bakel, Gathiary and Sadatou.
A documentary by Moussa Thiam was screened, followed by open discussions with residents, elected officials, women, young people and civil society.
A territorial consultation framework was relaunched to coordinate initiatives and anticipate conflicts.

A threatened river

Intensive, uncontrolled gold panning has caused mercury pollution. Herders in the area describe water that is increasingly poor for their herds and their children.

Listening to communities

The mission gave a voice to residents, elected officials, women, young people and civil society organisations. Concerns centre on health, food security and tensions over access to natural resources.

Concrete follow-up

The mission helped set up a territorial consultation framework, provided for by the decree of 9 December 2021, to coordinate initiatives, anticipate conflicts and involve communities more closely. Participants call for a commitment from the State, cross-border cooperation with Mali and lasting technical and financial support. Women pledged to champion the defence of the river.