During the last Council of Ministers meeting, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye gave clear instructions regarding the General History of Senegal (HGS) project, reiterating that "knowledge of our culture and the promotion of our historical heritage remain priorities" and ordering "increased logistical and financial support from the State for the rapid publication of the works already completed." He also instructed the Ministers of National Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, and Higher Education, Daouda Ngom, to "promote the General History of Senegal and Africa in school and university curricula."

But behind this stated political will, the project coordinator, Professor Mamadou Fall, interviewed by L'Observateur, reveals a reality long marked by precariousness. He specifically mentions the hardships experienced by his predecessor: "Iba Der Thiam endured painful moments seeing his life's work abandoned," lamenting a glaring lack of resources. The main obstacle, he insists, remains financial: "Out of an annual budget of 700 million CFA francs, we never received more than a tenth," a situation that led to a payment default "on three occasions."

Despite these constraints, scientific rigor prevailed. “None of these obstacles […] prevented us from continuing the solitary work of writing,” the coordinator emphasized, praising the researchers’ resilience. Today, the results are significant: “19 completed works, 3 undergoing scientific validation, and 25 awaiting publication,” although their dissemination remains hampered by the budget deficit.

To break this deadlock, Professor Mamadou Fall advocates structural measures. He recommends "establishing the HGS as a public utility institution" to guarantee long-term financial and logistical stability. At the same time, he is counting on technological innovation to modernize outreach: "We have built a very promising prototype of a digital tutor," an AI-based tool designed to convey "the right story, the one that speaks to us and reflects our own experiences," while carefully avoiding "Eurocentric biases."

This system is complemented by e-manuals, podcasts, and a digital mural called "The Living Memorial," designed to make the national narrative accessible to younger generations. For the contact person at the Futurs Médias Group, the stakes go beyond the academic sphere: it's about making the History and Geography of the South "the gateway to our history," a true pillar of the cultural sovereignty project now championed at the highest levels of government.