Irregular migration is a major challenge for Senegal. Despite considerable efforts by the authorities to combat this phenomenon, the situation remains worrying and the figures are alarming. Between Tuesday, December 9, and Saturday, December 13, 478 migrants were rescued at sea by the Senegalese Navy between Dakar and Saint-Louis.

As part of the fight against this scourge, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the association "Sénégal Mo Gueun" organized a screening of the film "My Extraordinary Story: Culture and Development" this Friday, December 19th, in Thiès. This initiative, rich in symbolism, aimed to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of irregular migration, but also about the alternatives available to them locally.

Yahya Diallo, project manager at IOM, welcomed the mobilization around this activity supported by a project funded by Sweden. "It is essential to show young people that opportunities exist in terms of training, employment or entrepreneurship. And for this, it is necessary to involve local communities in awareness-raising activities," he explained.

The screening also highlighted some of the frustrations young people feel, particularly the lack of impact from public policies. "We often hear about funds being allocated for youth employment, but many say they never see a penny of it," Mr. Diallo points out. He emphasizes, however, the crucial role of information: "There are opportunities, but young people are often unaware of them. We need to communicate more."

The collaboration with the Interministerial Committee for the Fight Against Irregular Migration (CILMI) was also praised. Yahya Diallo believes that only collective and concerted action will lead to lasting results. "Working in synergy with associations, state structures, and communities is key," he emphasized.

The president of the "Sénégal Mo Gueun" association, Adiouma Dia, added that only strong awareness campaigns and sound employment policies can deter young people from engaging in irregular migration. He believes that the fight against this scourge must be an inclusive struggle in which civil society organizations must play a leading role.

Adiouma Dia then urged state authorities to prioritize and strengthen communication to show young people the opportunities available to them in the country. The president of the "Sénégal Mo Gueun" association also advocated for facilitating visa applications to allow young people to migrate to Europe legally.