Artists make their voices heard on March 22, World Water Day, and as the work of the World Water Forum continues in Dakar, Senegal. Six Great West African Singers Release Voice of the river, way of peacea disc with the most varied sounds, but with a common theme: the challenges of managing the Senegal River.
What can bring together baaba maal, Daara J, Noumoucounda, Fatoumata Diawara, Noura Mint Seymali and Seckou Kouyate ? All are from countries sharing the Senegal River, nearly 1800 kilometers long and stretching from Guinea to Mauritania, bordering Senegal and Mali.
David Carroll, artistic director of Milk Music, brought them together for the disc Voice of the river, way of peaceso that they “carry the message of the residents of the Senegal River to world leaders gathered in Dakar”. These politicians “must listen to the voices of citizens for the management of water: this resource must be a factor of cooperation between peoples rather than a source of conflict”adds the one who is also the founder of the collective Slowfest for the ecological transition in current music.
“Beyond the Music”
The Franco-Irish composer had no trouble convincing the singers: “They were all already committed to different causes before this project. They are convinced that their place as an artist goes beyond music”. Starting with Baaba Maal, “Oscar winner” for the film’s music Black Panther and also, United Nations Ambassador against Desertification at COP14.
Maayo Senegal, the title composed by the Fulani singer is similar to a trip on the river, in his region of Fouta. Another Senegalese, Noumoucounda, tells how capricious the river can be, while Noura Mint Seymali recalls that without it, everything would be nothing but drought and desolation…
A living river
The Senegal River is indeed vital for agriculture, livestock farming and the supply of drinking water to the countries it flows through. While the Sahel is plagued by insecurity and conflicts of use between communities (grazing or market gardening, etc.) are just waiting to be exploited by armed gangs or political groups, the river is still managed by an international institution ad hoc, the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River. I’OMVSwhich celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2022, guarantees equitable access to water for the four countries of the Senegal River Basin.
The artists of Voice of the river, way of peace make a point of reminding the participants of the World Water Forum of these crucial issues during a concert on Wednesday March 23 in Diamniadio, near Dakar, where the summit is being held.