Invited to the program "En Vérité" on RTS this Sunday, January 11, the Minister of Culture, Amadou Ba, once again addressed the destruction of Papa Ibra Tall's artwork in Place de France in Thiès. Faced with the controversy surrounding this affair, he called for restraint and collective responsibility.

Amadou Ba emphasized that the aim was not to inflame controversy or to publicly shame the mayor of Thiès. According to him, the mayor acted with good intentions and has always demonstrated a remarkable commitment to local culture.

The minister acknowledged the artwork's advanced state of disrepair but stressed that this did not justify unilateral action. He called for lessons to be learned from this incident in order to establish clear procedures for the restoration of artworks in public spaces, thereby better protecting Senegal's cultural heritage.

Beyond the controversy, the ministry intends to draw lasting lessons. It plans to implement specific support mechanisms for local authorities, which are often ill-equipped to manage heritage works. The objective is to ensure coordinated, technically sound management that respects the national artistic heritage.

Regarding the work of Papa Ibra Tall, a pioneer of modern Senegalese art, the minister stated that only a restoration to its original state is feasible. He specified that his ministry possesses the original archives (sketches, drawings, technical references) necessary to guarantee its authenticity, while emphasizing the high cost of certain materials, such as the tiles, which are difficult for a municipality to afford.

Amadou Ba reiterates that culture is a shared responsibility between the state and local authorities, and calls for strengthening this collaboration. He also acknowledges internal shortcomings within the administration, accepting some responsibility and paving the way for structural reforms.

Strong measures to protect Senegalese cultural heritage

Following this, the Minister of Culture announced a series of measures to strengthen the protection of the national artistic heritage. These include the creation of a national inventory of cultural sites and works, even those not officially listed. This inventory will cover the entire country, from the historic forts of Sédhiou and Podor to urban murals, in order to better monitor, preserve, and intervene proactively.

In the same vein, a specialized surveillance system inspired by the DSCOS will be implemented to protect the artworks, in collaboration with the security forces. The objective is to prevent damage and to instill a sense of heritage in society.

Amadou Ba laments the lack of recognition for major artistic figures, such as Papa Ibra Tall, whose monumental work remains little known. He calls for a cultural revival to put artists and heritage back at the heart of national affairs.

Finally, he reiterates his support for the mayor of Thiès, praising his cultural commitment, and guarantees the support of the ministry for a faithful reconstruction of the destroyed work, in respect for the memory of the master.