Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé Police: Parcelles Assainies Public Space Clearing

• The Ministry of Interior and Public Security launched a major nocturnal operation on September 21st to clear public spaces across Dakar, in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) 2026.
• Minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé initiated the campaign, which involved demolishing billboards and removing vehicles in Dakar-Plateau, and clearing illegal structures in Rebeuss and Bountou Pikine.
• In Parcelles Assainies, police faced mixed reactions from residents during the operation, with Minister Cissé announcing a continued police presence to maintain order and security.
• Aboubacar Djamil Sané, President of the Supervisory Board of the Delegation General for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ), highlighted issues of an informal market and 'receleurs' contributing to insecurity, following prior complaints from local residents.
• The broader strategy includes urban beautification, infrastructure improvements, and coordination between local authorities and the state, aiming for a lasting urban legacy beyond the JOJ.

In Parcelles Assainies, specifically at the Case-Ba roundabout, where police personnel encountered a mixed reaction from local residents.

A significant nocturnal operation was launched across Dakar on September 21st by the Ministry of Interior and Public Security, marking a concerted effort to clear public spaces. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at preparing the city for the Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) in 2026, focusing on the liberation of public areas, urban beautification, and infrastructure enhancements. The campaign was officially commenced by Minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé at the Place Washington roundabout.

In the Dakar-Plateau district, the initial phase of the operation involved the demolition of various billboards by heavy machinery. Simultaneously, vehicles, both operational and non-operational, that were found parked illegally were removed from public thoroughfares. Local authorities, including services from the City of Dakar, the commune, and the living environment department, actively oversaw these activities. Mayor Alioune Ndoye of Dakar-Plateau expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing its necessity for improving the urban environment in anticipation of the JOJ.

These recent actions follow earlier efforts to enhance urban cleanliness. On September 20th, the day prior to the extensive clearing operation, a major cleanup was conducted at the beach near the Court of Cassation. This particular event was a collaborative undertaking involving the City of Dakar, the COJOJ (Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee), the European Union, and several local communes. Khadija Sarr, who manages urban operations for the COJOJ, reported that approximately ten out of the nineteen communes had organized similar cleaning activities, indicating a widespread commitment to improving Dakar's public spaces.

The clearing operations extended beyond Dakar-Plateau to other critical areas within the capital. In Rebeuss, illegal structures situated between the Palace of Justice and the local detention center were systematically dismantled and removed. Further south, in Bountou Pikine, Minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, alongside Mayor Abdoulaye Timbo, personally supervised the demolition of various unauthorized installations, which included zinc roofs and additional billboards. Teams from Sonaged were also deployed to clean and clear public roadways in this area.

One of the most notable interventions occurred in Parcelles Assainies, specifically at the Case-Ba roundabout, where police personnel encountered a mixed reaction from local residents. Some inhabitants expressed support for the operation, while others voiced opposition. In response to the situation, Minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé affirmed the state's commitment to restoring public order and announced that a sustained police presence would be maintained in Parcelles Assainies to ensure ongoing monitoring and security. This highlights the government's resolve to address the issue of illegal occupation.

Aboubacar Djamil Sané, President of the Supervisory Board of the Delegation General for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ) underscored the critical need to restore order along two main arteries in the area. He described an informal market operating there, which he alleged was frequented by 'receleurs' (fences), contributing significantly to local insecurity. Prior to these operations, a collective of residents from Unités 6, 7, and 8 had formally lodged complaints with the mayor's office, detailing instances of violence and various nuisances stemming from the unregulated activities in these public spaces.

The comprehensive désencombrement (clearing) campaign is framed within a broader vision for urban development, aiming to leave a cleaner urban environment and a lasting legacy that extends beyond the Youth Olympic Games. Minister Cissé reiterated that the primary responsibility for managing and clearing public spaces rests with local territorial authorities, while also calling for enhanced coordination between these local bodies and the central government to ensure effective implementation of urban planning initiatives.

This extensive urban renewal project is not solely focused on clearing existing structures but also encompasses significant development plans designed to make Dakar more welcoming for international visitors during the JOJ. Bassirou Samb, the deputy mayor of Dakar, announced upcoming projects that include extensive roadworks, city branding initiatives, improvements to public lighting, and the modernization of existing sports infrastructure. These efforts collectively aim to transform the preparations for the Games into a comprehensive urban improvement program, benefiting the city long after the event concludes.

The government's intensified focus on the liberation espace public Sénégal and the demolition installations illégales Dakar signals a heightened enforcement environment for urban planning and public order regulations. While these operations address the challenges of occupation anarchique Dakar, they also underscore the complexities of urban development in rapidly growing cities. Notably, even some artisans whose livelihoods were directly impacted by the destruction of their unauthorized setups acknowledged the legitimate basis for the government's campaign against illegal occupation.

This ongoing push by the Ministère Intérieur Sénégal urbanisme to reclaim public spaces and enforce regulations is a critical component of Dakar's preparation for JOJ 2026. The sustained police presence in areas like Parcelles Assainies, as announced by Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, indicates a long-term commitment to maintaining order and preventing the re-establishment of illegal structures. The overarching goal is to ensure that Dakar presents a well-organized, secure, and aesthetically pleasing environment for both its residents and the international community during the upcoming Games and beyond.

The ongoing government operations to clear public spaces and dismantle illegal structures across Dakar, particularly in Parcelles Assainies, signal a heightened enforcement environment. Lawyers should advise clients operating in or near public spaces on the legality of their installations and potential risks of demolition, while compliance officers should monitor urban planning and public order regulations for increased scrutiny and enforcement actions.

Source: Original reporting via Dakar92