A Senegalese national is now at the helm of a new department for the city of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Confirmed in his role by the City Council, Mamadou Samba was sworn in on Thursday, as the Executive Director of the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing (CPBL) within Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration. As the first person to hold this position, he will be tasked with building this new entity from zero. His remit covers consumer protection, the management of business licences, and the enforcement of municipal regulations. Samba brings extensive experience in American local government; notably, he previously directed the Office of African Affairs for Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. In that capacity, he served for several years as the liaison between the federal capital’s administration and the 53 African ambassadors accredited to the United States. He is also the founder of the Pan-African Institute for Municipal Development (PIMD). Leral
4 dead in Louga sea tragedy
A maritime tragedy has occurred along the coast of the Kébémer department, in the Louga region. A pirogue carrying individuals attempting to emigrate clandestinely ran aground near the village of Tébène 2, a locality within the commune of Thiéppe. Initial findings at the scene indicate a provisional death toll of four people. Those who survived the incident fled immediately after the vessel ran aground. Search and investigation efforts are currently underway at the site to locate any other potential survivors and to shed light on the circumstances of the event.
PressAfrik
Senegal suspends 10-month ban on importation of potato
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has decided to lift the suspension on potato imports, effective Wednesday, 4th November, 2026. This decision follows an inventory assessment conducted among wholesalers on 29th October, 2026, which confirmed that domestic production has been exhausted. The local marketing season, which began on January 16, 2026 — coinciding with the closure of borders to imports — successfully met the Senegalese market’s needs for ten months. Careful harvest planning and the expansion of cold-storage capacity ensured price stability for both producers and consumers throughout this period. To prevent potential shortages, the ministry is restoring import flows to maintain the country’s supply. The General Directorate of Customs, the Department of Internal Trade, and the Plant Protection Service have been instructed to issue quota-based import authorisations, valid until 20th December, 2026.
PressAfrik
Senegal Interpol arrests two Mauritanians in Dakar
Two Mauritanian nationals, HM N’Deyla, 27, and El H M Bobaly, 23, were arrested in Dakar on Saturday by the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB), reports Libération. According to the newspaper, the two men, who were wanted for robberies committed in Mauritania, were apprehended in a furnished apartment in the Les Maristes neighbourhood. The daily newspaper noted that this operation serves as a “return of the favour” to the Interpol NCB in Nouakchott, following the recent arrest of Senegalese fugitive Alioune Badara Gaye in Mauritania, carried out at the request of Senegalese authorities, in connection with the Astou Pierre Ndiaye case.
Omarian caliph Thierno Habibou Tall condemns rejection of the Supplementary Finance Bill
The official ceremony for the Omarian ziarra took place last night in Thiès attended by administrative authorities, delegations from various religious centres, political leaders, local notables, and others.
On this occasion, Caliph Thierno Mountaga Habibou Tall expressed his regret regarding the rejection of the Supplementary Finance Bill (LFR) in parliament by opposition members. He remarked: “There shouldn’t be any such obstruction; why is it happening? If you block something that belongs to the people — if you hold it back — do you truly love Senegal? We need to reconsider this.” He further noted that the bill encompasses social and economic policies, among others. “These are development projects intended for the population,” he said. “Therefore, by blocking it, you are blocking the people themselves.” He concluded by calling for restraint and for a commitment to peace and social cohesion.
Dakaractu
