Darou Khoudoss: Anger is simmering against the environmental hell and the land grabbing by ICS!

Tension persists in the commune of Darou Khoudoss (department of Tivaouane), where the population is at loggerheads with the Chemical Industries of Senegal (ICS).

Environmentalists, youth associations, women's groups, and small-scale market gardeners are voicing their outrage at the mining company's pollution of their local environment. They are appalled by the dumping of toxic products in public spaces, causing numerous illnesses, especially respiratory problems, and are demanding the return of their already exploited land.

Mamadou Diallo, president of the Garab-Gui movement, Déthié Diop, vice-president of the Union of Market Gardeners of the commune of Méouane, Magore Kane, mayor of Darou Khoudoss, and all the active forces of the local community mobilized to express their outrage at the actions of ICS. This mobilization foreshadows a showdown between the town hall, the population, and the company, particularly regarding land management.

Supported by the mayor of the commune, Magor Kane, the inhabitants of Darou Khoudoss, whose anger is linked to a major power struggle over what they describe as environmental hell (environmental impact) and land grabbing (land management) by ICS, say they are mobilizing against disastrous reasons.

Regarding the land dispute, the mayor and the local population directly accuse ICS of wanting to excessively expand their mining operations, with the company targeting land belonging to the national domain, initially allocated by the municipality and reserved for residential use by the inhabitants.

Regarding health and environmental risks, local residents denounce the destructive impact of industrial activity on their daily lives, mentioning in particular the prevalence of lung diseases linked to toxic fumes and dust from the factory.