Commemoration of the Joola shipwreck: the Prime Minister arrived in Ziguinchor for the 24th anniversary

Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô arrived in Ziguinchor on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to preside over the official ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the sinking of the ferry "Le Joola," which claimed the lives of 1,863 people according to the official count. Welcomed by local authorities upon his arrival, he began a day of remembrance, which included laying a wreath at the Kanténe cemetery and offering prayers in memory of the victims.

At Ziguinchor airport, the Prime Minister was received by the Governor of the region, Mor Talla Tine, accompanied by a large delegation of administrative, military, and religious officials. The procession then proceeded to the Kanténe cemetery, a symbolic site where some of the victims of the shipwreck are buried. In a solemn atmosphere, a wreath was laid and prayers were offered in tribute to the 1,863 officially recorded missing. This moment of remembrance opened the day of commemoration, preceding the official ceremony scheduled at the Joola Memorial Museum.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by his ministers and staff, is expected to deliver a strong message of remembrance and responsibility. According to the Minister of the Armed Forces, Yankhoba Diémé, "this commemoration is an opportunity to remind everyone of their duty to remember the deceased, but also to reinforce what is most right for the Republic, most secure for the Republic, and most safe."

The mobilization of religious and traditional communities also marked this commemoration. The imams of Ziguinchor had already called for collective prayers, while the Church had announced services dedicated to the victims. This convergence of spiritual voices reflects the desire of the different faiths to keep the memory of the tragedy alive.

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The presence of Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lô in Ziguinchor demonstrates the government's commitment to never letting the Joola shipwreck be forgotten. By personally presiding over the ceremony, he intends to reaffirm the State's responsibility in preserving national memory and strengthening social cohesion around this painful event.