ECOWAS in Saint-Louis: Equipment Handed Over to the Khor Eco-Guards
Continuing her outreach mission in northern Senegal, Her Excellency the ECOWAS Resident Ambassador chaired an important donation ceremony on Wednesday 13 May 2026 in the Khor neighbourhood of Saint-Louis. This stage, dedicated to environmental protection and community support, honoured the Khor Eco-Guards group.
The ECOWAS delegation was welcomed in a festive atmosphere by the local population, with lively performances by the Bambara troupe of Khor and a themed sketch by the « Impro Théâtre » troupe.
This play raised the audience’s awareness of the crucial role of ECOWAS and its direct impact on the daily lives of West African communities. Several local authorities, including the neighbourhood delegate and representatives of the municipality, expressed their gratitude to the regional institution, stressing that this support strengthens the resilience of the population in the face of environmental challenges.
The highlight of the event was the official handover of equipment to the EIG Les Éco-Gardes de Khor. The donation aims to improve the response capacity of these guardians of nature, who are active in protecting the mangroves of the Senegal River Delta in collaboration with the ROPM/DFS network.
In her address, Her Excellency the Resident Ambassador recalled that environmental protection is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development in the ECOWAS region. She praised the courage of the men and women who volunteer to safeguard our ecosystem.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, an exhibition allowed the Ambassador to discover the crafts and products made by the women and young people of Khor. This highlighted the local economic potential and the importance of empowering vulnerable groups, a subject at the heart of the Resident Representation’s priorities in Senegal.
Ancestral know-how serving development
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Ambassador admired the handicrafts of the women and young people of Khor, reflecting a rich and living cultural heritage. These products, the fruit of know-how passed down from generation to generation, show the considerable economic potential of the Khor community and the ingenuity of its artisans.
Empowering women and young people
The exhibition highlighted the central role of women and young people in the local economy. By supporting these initiatives, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to empowering vulnerable groups, a fundamental pillar of inclusive and sustainable regional integration. A strong West Africa is built first and foremost in its communities.
Prospects for promotion and support
Impressed by the potential she observed, Her Excellency the Resident Ambassador expressed her interest in providing structured support for these local initiatives. This approach is fully in line with the Representation’s vision: to make Senegal a laboratory for bottom-up regional integration by connecting local initiatives with opportunities across the Community.
The floor was given to people on the ground, the first beneficiaries of ECOWAS action. Local authorities, Eco-Guards and women from the community took turns to share their experiences, express their gratitude and voice their hopes. These sincere testimonies show better than any official speech what regional integration concretely means for the people of West Africa.
A community representative expresses his gratitude
On behalf of the residents of Khor, the neighbourhood delegate sincerely thanked ECOWAS for this concrete support. He stressed that the presence of the Resident Ambassador in this working-class district of Saint-Louis sends a strong signal: that of a regional institution that goes into the field and takes a genuine interest in the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Guardians of nature regain hope
Members of the EIG Les Éco-Gardes de Khor expressed their relief and pride at this unexpected support. Volunteers for years in protecting the mangroves of the Senegal River Delta, they said the equipment donation will transform their capacity to act on the ground. For them, ECOWAS is no longer a distant institution but a close partner.
Regional integration as seen by the women of Khor
The women present at the ceremony also spoke, welcoming the attention the Representation paid to their daily lives and income-generating activities. Several of them expressed the hope that this visit would mark the start of lasting support, enabling their crafts to reach beyond Senegal’s borders and across the Community.
The day ended with a press briefing at which the Ambassador reiterated ECOWAS’s determination to stay close to realities on the ground. She stressed that this partnership with the Khor Eco-Guards is not an isolated act but part of a broader vision of bottom-up regional integration, where actions have an immediate impact on citizens’ lives. This mission to Saint-Louis reflects the vitality of cooperation between the ECOWAS Commission and Senegalese local actors for a greener and more united future.
