Tensions are rising at Lac Rose, just outside Dakar, as residents and environmental activists rally against the government’s ambitious ‘green city’ project. The initiative promises luxury apartments and villas, marketed as sustainable and eco-friendly, but critics argue it threatens the delicate coastal ecosystem that supports thousands of livelihoods.

Ibrahima Mbaye, president of the Collectif de l’Arr Lac Rose, has been at the forefront of opposition efforts. He warns that the development will destroy the natural barriers—sand dunes and planted vegetation—that protect the area from coastal erosion. ‘The name “green city” is a trick,’ he states. ‘They’re selling an illusion. Tourists come here for the natural beauty, not towering buildings that will ruin the landscape. Without the lake, 6,000 people—salt harvesters, restaurant owners, tour operators—will lose their incomes.’

Despite public backlash, preparations for the project are advancing. The Egyptian developer, Casa Orascom, insists the construction will adhere to environmental commitments made with Senegalese authorities. The company claims the initiative will generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, though locals remain skeptical about the project’s long-term impact.

Social media has become a battleground, with viral campaigns and calls to local officials gaining traction. Protests have already taken place, and organizers like Mbaye vow to escalate their resistance until the project is halted. ‘We won’t let them turn Lac Rose into another concrete jungle,’ he declares. ‘The lake is our lifeline—we’ll fight to protect it.’