The operationalization process of the Charter for Irrigated Areas (CDI) in the Senegal River Valley has reached a decisive stage. The Governor of Saint-Louis, Al Hassane Sall, chaired a workshop on Monday, December 29th, dedicated to the effective implementation of the monitoring committee established by the charter.

Organized at the initiative of the Senegal River Delta and Falémé Land Development and Management Company (SAED), the meeting brought together the main institutional and territorial stakeholders involved. Its objective was to define the practical operating procedures of the committee, to identify the constraints that have thus far hindered the implementation of the Common Land Agreement (CDI), and to propose appropriate mechanisms to ensure its effective implementation, in conjunction with other land management instruments in force in the valley.

Speaking at the event, the governor recalled that the Charter for Irrigated Land was established by prime ministerial decree in 2007, with the aim of promoting rational and collaborative management of land and water resources. "The charter aims to enable various stakeholders to access land, sustainably manage land, and benefit from water resources, while contributing to the implementation of public policies, particularly those related to agriculture and food sovereignty," he explained.

Al Hassane Sall also emphasized that Article 10 of the charter provides for the establishment of a monitoring committee, chaired by him. This body brings together administrative authorities from several regions, as well as all the local authorities concerned by the Senegal River valley and the Falémé basin.

According to the head of the regional executive, this workshop made it possible to assess the level of implementation of the charter since its adoption and to measure compliance with its guidelines on the ground. In his view, this step was essential to identify clear areas for improvement and strengthen the monitoring of the implementation of the decisions made.

"This is our first meeting since the charter was established. For a long time, difficulties prevented its effective operation. Today, we finally have the necessary tool to convene the committee, establish a precise diagnosis and plan for concrete actions in the short term," he said.

In conclusion, the governor emphasized the need to harmonize the Irrigated Area Charter with the new vision of the public authorities or, failing that, to adapt this vision to the existing provisions of the charter. "The objectives of public policies remain unchanged. Together, we must work to achieve them for the benefit of the valley's inhabitants," he stated.