A major figure in the fight for the recognition of former African soldiers enlisted in the French army, Aïssata Seck held the position of deputy mayor in charge of memorial policies and the fight against racism and discrimination from 2016 to 2020 in Bondy. Engaged in politics, she tirelessly pursues her work of justice and truth for the recognition of the rights of Senegalese tirailleurs through its association for the memory and history of Senegalese tirailleurs. She is currently the Director of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery and Regional Councillor Ile-de-France. 
Between personal history and intimate combat
His grandfather was one of the Africans who gave their breasts for the liberation of France before the rise of Nazi Germany. After a generation – that of her father – she takes up, in a way, the family torch: to make sure that the leading role played by the Senegalese Tirailleurs in the Great War is recognized. Born on 20 February 1980 in Meulan, Aïssata Seck is French and of Senegalese origin. His grandfather, Samba Yero N’Dom, a Senegalese tirailleur, never obtained French nationality. Years later, as if it were predestined, she decided to speak out loud for those veterans forgotten by the French Republic.

A petition that changes history
For more than ten years, Aïssata has been leading this fight: recognition of the rights of the old African Tirailleurs. In 2016, she launched a petition to ask for the naturalization of the Senegalese Tirailleurs, who lost their French nationality after the independence of Africa. This, she sees as ingratitude on the part of France. The petition immediately received over 60,000 signatures. Pushed by this wave of exceptional mobilization, France decides in April 2017 on a historic gesture by President François Hollande to grant French nationality to twenty-eight former Tirailleurs. A drop in the bucket. But a victory nonetheless.

So that France does not forget them
The year 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of France. And, so that this is not forgotten, Aïssata Seck “wishes to contribute to the success of the commemorations by involving a part of the French youth and a part of the Senegalese youth”. Far from stopping at this victory, Aïssata Seck also militates in many associations for a better visibility of colonial soldiers in the public space. President of the Association for the Memory and History of Senegalese Tirailleurs, in December 2023, she was appointed director of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery. She works to ensure that the streets, schools and monuments pay tribute to these men who came from Africa, often at the cost of their lives, to defend a country that recognizes them too rarely. Indeed, Aïssata Seck refuses that the memory of these fighters is forgotten. And for this, it deserves all our consideration.

After several weeks of touring the major European capitals, the ‘‘European Link Sunugal’ Tour concluded in apotheosis on 11 December 2024 in Offida, Italy. An unfailing link has been established between Italy and Senegal. The ceremony, which brought together elected officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs and members of the diaspora, highlighted the economic opportunities and possible synergies between the two countries. All were present to seal economic and solidarity partnerships between the two countries.

Link Sunugal: an investment opportunity
In the presence of an enthusiastic audience composed of the mayor of Offida and several high-ranking personalities, Mr. Ibrahima Badji, president of IBC INVEST, Paid tribute to the hard work of the organizers and thanked participants for their determination to strengthen economic ties between Senegal and Italy. Indeed, the Link Sunugal tour highlighted key economic issues for Senegal, particularly in the context of oil and gas spill-overs. Highlighting the central role of the Senegalese diaspora as a key player in this economic development, Mr. Badji highlighted the new business opportunities that are now opening up to Senegalese companies through this enhanced bilateral cooperation. The Link Sunugal tour is therefore a real platform for trade and investment, where concrete and lasting benefits for both countries are expected.

More than symbolic distinctions, a mutual commitment pact
At this Salon, Aliou Gning, mayor of Sandiara, was honored by Luigi Massa, mayor of Offida, for his leadership in the development of his commune. Abdou Karim Sy, mayor of Koki, was honoured by Mauro Broda, president of the International Consular Institute (ICI), in recognition of his role in promoting economic diplomacy and international partnerships. It should be noted that these distinctions, far from being honorific, reflect the commitment of both mayors to promoting inclusive and sustainable development. It was an opportunity for the two men to start business visits and partnerships with the municipalities of Offida and San Benito.

For inclusive and sustainable development
At the recent fair dedicated to social and solidarity economy, several strategic levers were highlighted to promote harmonious and inclusive development. Marketing in local languages is a good approach, because it allows for greater involvement of the population, especially women and young people. Education and civic engagement have also been identified as essential pillars for strengthening the economy. In addition, microfinance can become an effective tool for combating poverty and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable segments of society, participants said. Cultural industries were also presented as a means of boosting the local economy while preserving cultural heritage. Special emphasis was also placed on diaspora investments, which represent vital support for small and medium-sized enterprises. There is also the need to take into account environmental issues for a transition to greener energy sources that create jobs, as Mr. Badji has argued.

Concrete partnerships for a future of solidarity
Good news came to this fair: the creation of a network of the Senegalese diaspora in Italy. This network will be chaired by Mr. Mamadou Faye and moderated by Ms. Nor Ndiaye. It will aim to meet the needs of members of the diaspora, including facilitating access to funding, health coverage, repatriation of remains or legal assistance. This initiative stems from the desire to strengthen the link between Senegalese living in Italy and their country of origin. This vision is shared by the mayor of Sandiara, who has a clear ambition: to raise his town to the rank of emerging city by 2035. In this context, he appealed to Italian investors to encourage them to seize the opportunities offered by Senegal.

The strategic triptych: Senegal – Italy – Moldova
This triangular partnership between Senegal, Italy and Moldova is supported by speakers such as Senesi Roberto. Due to some shared cultural and economic similarities, they intend to promote mutual and sustainable development between these three countries, with the key idea of a twinning between the municipalities of Offida in Italy and Koki in Senegal. This partnership represents a valuable opportunity to address pressing water, health and environmental challenges. This project, which is part of a triangular cooperation framework between Senegal, Italy and Moldova, aims to solve crucial challenges such as access to drinking water, health and environmental preservation. In addition, a prospecting mission conducted on Monday 16 December at the Monvimox plant, specialized in the processing of fishery products, illustrates the ambition of both mayors to diversify investments in their municipalities. This partnership could, in the long run, help modernize Senegal’s fishing industry while creating jobs for young people.

Link Sunugal: Meeting for Hope
At the end of the fair, Mr. Ibrahima Badji, president of IBC-Invest, urged participants to take action: turn the ideas exchanged into concrete initiatives to eradicate poverty and build a future of solidarity for future generations. He expressed the wish to see tangible results emerge before the next edition. The participants left this fair with a sense of optimism and determination, which will enable Senegal and Italy to consolidate a lasting strategic alliance. The Sunugal 2024 Link Show not only celebrated successes; it laid the foundation for strong economic and social cooperation between Senegal and its partners. The results of these initiatives will be eagerly awaited at the next edition.

Terrible pain is the news that embraces, since 18 December 2024, the Senegalese and diaspora associative world. Fatou Aïssata Sall, the president of the association Sene Asso, left abruptly during a solidarity tour in Dakar. She was only 36. She didn’t leave just like that. It is among the poor children, in the nursery, in the Koranic schools that his soul went to join the stars. A tragic irony for the one that embodied the discreet but persistent light of social engagement.

Fatou Sall, a kindness without borders
Fatou Sall did not belong to these mediatized benefactors who burst the screen and whose charity was giving in show. Living in Paris since her childhood, she never stopped – a painful past – building bridges between France and Senegal. She had only one motto, “help without waiting back”, and this creed animated her passion. She gave joy to the poor, the forgotten, the migrants wandering in Paris. They were her protégés. Paris, she knew her; since Paris had seen her grow up. Yet, Senegal was not a nostalgia for her. She founded Sene Asso in 2016 to help Senegalese students who have recently arrived in France. The association is expanding and addressing Senegalese social and humanitarian issues. Since 2019, it has initiated the Sene Asso Solidarity Tour to mobilize funds to support childcare facilities, schools and religious centres.

Women, as we see more
After working in the tourism sector for 20 years, Fatou Sall had successfully retrained. She was the director of purchasing and supplier relations at a furniture company in France since 2022. Despite all this workload, she managed to reconcile personal life, professional activities and associations. Always simple. Always wearing a frank smile and in that smile, perceived the concern she had for others, putting her own difficulties down. And, being at the head of Sene Asso, it was not the solicitations that were lacking. Ndiaga Fall, one of her close associates, said, “She was very helpful and dedicated. We truly salute his spirit of solidarity.” It is rare to see the whole chain of love that unfolds around Fatou Sall.

Modesty and dedication, a model of female leadership
Fatou Sall was not afraid of fighting. She was from all the associative fronts. However, and this may seem paradoxical was a woman who asserts herself, she had this modest restraint. Never a word higher than the other. His management spirit as president of the association Sene Asso shines his soul encircled. To her friends and family, she often confided: “The main challenge is to reconcile personal, professional and community life. But thanks to my personality and experience, managing Sene Asso is quite easy.” His four-year working partner, Aladji Gora Pene, sums up their collaboration in two words: “Respect and admiration” and He testifies: “Fatou was methodical, organized, rigorous. She has made us all Fatou ready to advise, guide and make the best decisions. It takes a lot of money to become a major player in the Franco-Senegalese solidarity. And, Fatou Sall had it. Unquestionably.

True commitment, an enduring legacy
This sudden departure is a silent earthquake. A gap that will be difficult to fill. This death, no one saw it coming, since the last post on Facebook is just a few days ago. And yet, somewhere, she sensed it. She has taken care to leave behind recommendations, plans for the future of Sene Asso, like a soldier who, on his way to the front, is preparing his family for his doom. Sene Asso promises to continue the actions initiated by its president. Fatou Sall never sought the light. And when her moment came, she knew how to slip away. She left a legacy, and a way of practicing associative life. A link and phone number have also been set up to help the family through this ordeal. The spirit of solidarity advocated by Fatou Sall still shines. Now she rests in the cemetery of Yoff in Senegal.