The army's intervention in the fight against cannabis cultivation in North India in recent days was a topic of discussion at the World Youth Day event held in Kafountine. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga of the Diocese of Ziguinchor spoke at length with young people about the issue of drugs, encouraging them to take up agriculture.

The pastor of the Catholic Church in Ziguinchor paid tribute to the soldiers who fell on the field of honor: "We have seen what has happened these past few days in our region. We bow before the memory of those who fell on the field of honor, defending our country."

Monsignor Manga commented on the brief conference led by Professor Benoît Tine on the issue of drugs: "Drugs, like excessive alcohol consumption, lead to living in illusion. You cannot build your future by locking yourself in drugs, by locking yourself in alcohol. I wanted to draw young people's attention to all these risks, which must be taken seriously so that their future is not compromised."

However, provided that everyone makes it their duty to respond to this call for the good of the youth and of Senegal, continued Bishop Manga.

According to the mayor of Kafountine, young people must be aware of their contribution to their country. To achieve this, they must avoid taking the easy way out and instead choose to work to serve the nation. "Nothing is achieved without sacrifice. And as long as young people don't integrate this into their lives, it will be difficult for us to meet the challenges ahead. Drugs and alcohol cannot be a refuge," said David Diatta.

The mayor thus called on young people to have confidence in themselves. "Self-confidence is very important. Every young person has a talent lying dormant within them. But it is through trials that this talent can be valued for the benefit of the community. This is how we become useful to our society. Let no young person think that they are useless in this society. Everyone is useful," he added.

The mayor hopes that young people will now arm themselves with courage and commitment to serving Senegal.