Senegalese women marched in Dakar, demanding accountability from polluting countries for their role in climate change. The activists emphasized the need for reparations and adherence to the Paris Agreement ahead of COP29, highlighting their experiences of flooding and environmental degradation.
On Saturday, approximately 50 women activists in Dakar, Senegal staged a demonstration advocating for climate justice, coinciding with the lead-up to the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) which is set to occur on November 11. This year’s march, part of an annual event since 2021, was deemed especially significant by the organizers due to the recent severe flooding experienced in the Sahel region, including Senegal. Participants expressed their outrage, chanting slogans such as “Down with capitalism! Down with polluting countries!” as they traversed the Medina neighborhood, brandishing banners that called for the safeguarding of Senegal’s environmental resources and a commitment to a sustainable, decarbonized future. Cheikh Niange Faye, a former tour guide from the Thiès region, lamented, “It has been four years since we have been marching, and nothing has changed. They are spending billions to hold their conferences, yet they owe us billions in compensation,” highlighting the plight of those impacted by climate change. The 2023 season has seen unprecedented flooding in Senegal, affecting tens of thousands and damaging over 1,000 hectares of crops in various regions. Activists contend that those nations that are primarily responsible for greenhouse gas emissions owe significant reparations to African nations, noting that the continent contributes a mere 3.8% to global emissions according to the Carbon Disclosure Project. Khady Camara, the main organizer of the march, urged global leaders to adhere to the Paris Agreement in the face of escalating climate challenges. Echoing this sentiment, environmental activist Khady Faye emphasized the effects of climate change on communities near the Saloum Delta, particularly in light of the recent oil drilling initiatives at Senegal’s first offshore drilling site at the Sangomar fields. She implored, “Think about the suffering of these communities, think about the suffering of these women. Try to leave our delta alone, try to leave the gas at Sangomar underground, to let the community live normally.”
The march by Senegalese women is rooted in the ongoing struggles against climate change, particularly its disproportionate impact on Africa despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global emissions. With events such as COP29 approaching, the activists underscore the urgent need for accountability from developed nations, which historically have been major polluters. This call for justice is intensified by the direct experiences of these women facing climate-related disasters, such as flooding, which have severely affected their livelihoods.
In conclusion, the march organized by Senegalese women highlights the urgent call for accountability from industrialized nations that contribute disproportionately to climate change. Their demands for justice resonate with the lived experiences of individuals and communities affected by climate adversities. As they prepare for COP29, the activists’ messaging emphasizes both the immediate need for reparatory justice and the long-term commitment required to mitigate climate change challenges.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
