Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has thanked the nation for its “active and enthusiastic participation” in the inaugural “Setal Sunu Réew” (Clean Our Nation) event, a nationwide clean-up initiative that saw thousands of citizens unite in a remarkable display of civic engagement.
In a remarkable display of national unity, thousands of Senegalese citizens took to the streets yesterday for the inaugural “Setal Sunu Réew” (Clean Our Nation) event.
The initiative, spearheaded by recently elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims to make Senegal cleaner and more prosperous through monthly nationwide clean-up efforts.
President Faye, who took office just three months ago following a closely watched election, has made civic engagement and national unity central themes of his presidency.
The “Setal Sunu Réew” program, set to occur on the first Saturday of each month, is his administration’s first major public initiative.
“Your massive mobilization and your exemplary commitment made this day a resounding success,” President Faye stated in a public address following the event. “Your dedication to this common cause has demonstrated once again our ability to unite for the good of our nation.”
The clean-up drive saw participation from all corners of Senegalese society. In his address, Faye extended his “warm congratulations to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, the entire Government, the territorial administration, the Senegalese army, as well as all the branches of the State who contributed significantly to the success of this day.”
The choice of cleanliness as a rallying point is significant. Rapid urbanization and population growth have strained Senegal’s waste management systems, particularly in cities like Dakar. By making “Setal Sunu Réew” a monthly event, the administration hopes to instill lasting habits that could alleviate this pressure.
President Faye’s message also hinted at broader ambitions. “Let us continue to keep this civic commitment intact and make the ‘Setal Sunu Réew’ initiative an activity anchored in our habits, on the first Saturday of each month,” he urged. His call to “build a united, united, clean and prosperous Senegal” suggests that he sees this initiative as a stepping stone to larger economic and social goals.
