Author: Steeven Kezamutima, Ashley Kitisya From June 16–23, 2025, the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) Africa team travelled to Senegal with a clear mission: to strengthen the Catholic network championing the country’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. But in Dakar, we discovered much more than strategy sessions and workshops—we encountered la Teranga, the Senegalese spirit of warmth, generosity, and solidarity. It was alive not only in the people we met, but also in the growing movement for ecological justice, reminding us that true change is rooted in both community and hope. Building the Network for Renewable Energy Our visit began with heartfelt reconnections with local members, especially our chapter leadership and Arouna Kandé, one of the central voices in The Letter film. Together, we set the tone for a week of strategic meetings and a landmark workshop dedicated to accelerating Senegal’s renewable energy transition, a country where the present still bears the scars of coal and gas, but where the future is full of possibility. One of the most significant moments came in our audience with Mgr André Gueye, the new Archbishop of Dakar. We shared our vision for a Church-led renewable energy push and the upcoming celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. The Archbishop praised the progress made so far and called for a strong and united network for concrete action. His assurance of support was a clear sign: the Church in Senegal is ready to lead by example. Training for Action: The UCAO Workshop On June 19, 2025, at the Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO) in Dakar, we hosted an in-person training that gathered 100 participants from Catholic congregations, Laudato Si’ Animators, Muslim leaders, university students, researchers, and civil society organisations. The discussions were urgent and candid: Senegal’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with ecological sustainability projects funded through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). While focused on renewables and energy access, Senegal’s energy transition faces complexity due to the country’s plans to exploit domestic oil and gas resources, which contribute significantly to emissions from electricity generation. This dual reliance raises concerns about alignment with the partnership’s climate goals.. Together, we explored the country’s untapped renewable energy potential and the power of interfaith advocacy networks. The workshop concluded with a screening of The Letter and a special introduction of Arouna Kandé to the audience and media. This moment underscored the role of local voices in shaping global change. 
Gorée Island: Remembering Injustice, Inspiring Change On June 21, we visited Gorée Island, a 28-acre land marked by deep scars of history. Once a departure point for more than 33,000 enslaved Africans, it remains a solemn reminder of humanity’s capacity for exploitation. Its story resonates with Pope Francis’ words in Laudato Si’ (51), where he speaks of our “ecological debt”—a debt that, like the wounds of Gorée, calls us to justice, memory, and transformation. The director of the House of Slaves walked us through the brutal realities: stolen lives, plundered resources, and wounds still in need of repair. Today, Gorée faces a new injustice: rising sea levels threaten to swallow its shores, while residents have no land to cultivate. The parallels between historical and ecological injustice could not have been clearer. Bargny: Where Women of Faith Unite Against Coal Our visit to Bargny, a Muslim-majority fishing community, revealed both deep suffering and remarkable courage. Here, the coal plant looms over a narrow strip of coastline where generations of women have smoked and dried fish, the backbone of the local economy. Since the plant’s construction, more than half of the 1,500 women once working the shore have lost their livelihoods, alongside a 30–50% drop in fish stocks. Coal dust pollutes the air, toxic wastewater flows into the Atlantic, and an entire lake has been drained. Yet the women of Bargny, leading the campaign “Bargny Soufre”, refuse to back down. Their resistance is not only economic but deeply spiritual, rejecting a government relocation site because it sits on sacred land, believed to be protected by the Bargny goddess. For them, protecting this space is as much about cultural and spiritual survival as it is about environmental justice. Faith at the Heart of the Transition Our time in Senegal concluded with the Corpus Christi Mass at the Cathedral of Dakar, where the celebrant offered special prayers for the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. Afterwards, we met informally with Fr. Sebastian, the Laudato Si’ focal point for the Senegal Bishops’ Conference, to map the road ahead: strengthening partnerships, expanding the renewable energy agenda, and deepening interfaith solidarity. A Spirit that Soars From the historical stones of Gorée to the resilient shores of Bargny, one truth emerged: the spirit of la Teranga is not passive, it is a force for change. Rooted in generosity, unity, and shared humanity, it is the foundation for a movement that unites Christians, Muslims, and people of all backgrounds in the fight for a just and sustainable energy future. In Senegal, faith and culture are rising together, carrying hope like a banner: from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the transition is not just possible, it is already taking flight.
