Dakar City Council: No Notice Given Before Medina Demolitions for JOJ 2026

• The city of Dakar has begun demolishing buildings in the Medina neighborhood without prior notice as part of JOJ 2026 preparations.
• Business owners claim they were not adequately informed about the planned changes, resulting in material losses and daily difficulties.
• Senegalese law on property rights may come into play regarding compensation and fair treatment for affected businesses.
• Compliance officers and lawyers should be aware of potential disputes over compensation and ensure clients are informed about infrastructure developments.

"J'avais deux portes, maintenant il n'en reste qu'une," témoigne El Hadji Diouf, atelier owner who has seen part of his space destroyed.

In preparation for the 2026 JOJ, the city of Dakar has begun demolishing buildings in the Medina neighborhood without prior notice. The demolitions have affected several businesses, including ateliers and shops, leaving behind damaged facades and scattered debris. Occupants of the affected properties claim they were not adequately informed about the planned changes, with some reporting losses due to the sudden destruction of their property. For example, Hamadou Thiam, a tailor, stated that he saw workers starting construction last week without any prior warning or compensation for his business. Similarly, El Hadji Diouf, an atelier owner, reported that part of his space was destroyed despite having previously agreed to reduce the installation size as requested by authorities. He also claimed that the removal of a door has reduced the security of his atelier, forcing him to stay late at night to monitor his machines due to increased theft in the area.

The demolitions are part of the city's accelerated preparations for the JOJ 2026, which include urban development and beautification projects. However, the lack of prior notice has raised concerns among business owners about their rights to compensation and fair treatment. Senegalese law on property rights may come into play in this situation, particularly regarding the handling of demolitions and relocations. Modou Samb, an atelier owner, noted that not all places were affected equally, suggesting that some properties may have been targeted more than others. The involvement of the prefect of Dakar in organizing these operations further complicates the matter.

The Medina neighborhood transformation is a critical aspect of the JOJ 2026 preparations, but it also poses significant challenges for local businesses and residents. The sudden demolitions without notice have caused material losses and daily difficulties for those affected. Compliance officers and lawyers should be aware of potential disputes over compensation for businesses impacted by these changes. Moreover, ensuring that clients are informed about planned infrastructure developments in the area is crucial to mitigate risks and prevent further complications.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential disputes over compensation for businesses affected by the demolitions, as well as ensure their clients are aware of the planned infrastructure changes in the area.

Source: Original reporting via PressAfrik