During the economic tour of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in the departments of Vélingara, Médina-Yoro Foulah and Kolda on April 23, 24 and 25, 2026, the International Association for Médina-Mary (AIMM) and the local populations took this opportunity to recall the emergencies of the so-called "Frontier" area, located northwest of Vélingara.

An isolated and vulnerable area

This part of the Kolda region, bordering a neighboring country, suffers from a critical lack of administrative and security infrastructure. "There is no sub-prefecture, no town hall, and not even a gendarmerie brigade," lament the residents. The "Transborder" road, which crosses the area from east to west, remains in a state of advanced disrepair despite numerous calls for its paving.

The demands of the people

AIMM and the residents are asking the State "to establish a sub-prefecture and a local authority to bring the Administration closer to the citizens", the current sub-prefecture of Saré Colly Sallé being considered too far away (more than 50 km).

They also demand "the construction and reinforcement of the police station of the Directorate of Air and Border Police (DPAF) in Medina-Mary" as well as the installation of a forestry post to combat the illegal logging and trafficking of timber to the neighboring country.

A recent incident illustrates the urgency of this request. "A convoy of carts transporting tree trunks to the neighboring country was spotted at night in the area. The traffickers even threatened a resident of the village of Lambatara if he got in their way," they explained.

Despite these difficulties, AIMM and the local populations express their gratitude to the State and the partners active in the area. "The embassies of Switzerland, France, and Portugal in Senegal, the citizens and organizations of these countries, as well as the Senegal Lakes Authority (OLAC), La Poste, the SONATEL-Orange group, MCA Senegal II, SENELEC, and the Kolda branch of the PROVALE-CV project are committed to working alongside us daily to improve socioeconomic living conditions."

Through this statement, the residents of Medina-Mary reaffirm their desire to see the State strengthen its presence in this strategic area. "It is time to ensure security, development, and territorial equity," they insist, hoping that their local concerns will finally find a concrete response during the presidential tour.