In Senegal, they are kings within the Republic: the sovereigns of Oussouye, in Casamance, and Sine, in Serer country, announced on Tuesday April 11 the launch of a “caravan for peace” next month . In a tense pre-electoral context, these customary chiefs advocate social cohesion beyond the communities.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
When a Serer meets a Diola, or vice versa, they can bicker with a smile. This is the famous “joking cousinhood”. A still current practice to defuse conflicts, explains Niokhobaye Diouf Fatou Diène, king of Sine. ” VShe two populations come from two sisters who traveled together in a boat. The boat broke. One of them, it is she who gave birth to the Serers, and the other, to the Diolas. When I meet the Diola at his place, he says “You came here, you are the king, I give you the place”. It’s the same, when the Diola moves in the Sine, he has the place of the king. It means that I am the king, you are my slave. And that solves a lot of problems “, he explains.
“Culture in the service of peace »
It is with this heritage that the customary chiefs initiated their “ cultural caravan for peace “, after recent sometimes violent political declarations.
Sibulumbaï Diédhiou, king of Oussouye, in the south of Casamance, never leaves his territory. ” Everyone is anxious right now, given the context in which we are here in Senegal », Says one of its representatives, Lamine Diedhiou. ” Traditional authorities will always act in the direction of peace. King Sibulumbai of Oussouye is part of these missions of regulation, prevention and conflict management. Culture in the service of peace “, he adds.
The caravan for peace organized by the two kings is scheduled for May 12 to 16, from Fatick to Oussouye, via The Gambia. The Haal Pulaar community will be guest of honour.
In a country where young people represent 75% of the population, the transmission of messages from customary chiefs remains essential, says Professor Pape Massène Sène, coordinator of the steering committee of this caravan for peace. For him, they are part of the “mechanisms” of Senegalese dialogue and living together.
We decided to put on the table the words that pacify.
Professor Pape Massène Sène, coordinator of the steering committee of the caravan for peace