Residents and environmental advocates in the Sénégal are voicing sharp opposition to a high-end real estate project that threatens the fragile ecosystem of Lac Rose, just outside Dakar. The government’s groundbreaking ceremony for the so-called green city has galvanized local opposition, with critics calling the initiative a thinly veiled land grab disguised as sustainable development.

Ibrahima Mbaye, president of the Arr Lac Rose conservation collective, warns that the proposed development will devastate the natural buffer zone between the Atlantic and the lake—an area crucial for 6,000 livelihoods tied to salt harvesting, fishing, and tourism. « They call it a green city, but everyone here knows it’s impossible, » Mbaye said. « The dunes and coastal vegetation exist to protect against erosion and advancing tides. What will remain once towering luxury villas blot out the skyline? No tourists. No salt gatherers. No fishermen. Just concrete where there should be nature. »

Despite public outcry, the Egyptian developer Casa Orascom insists construction is set to begin and claims it can deliver on its promise to build without destroying. The company projects 20,000 jobs—direct and indirect—will stem from the project, framing it as an economic boon. Yet local leaders remain unconvinced, accusing the government of prioritizing foreign investment over ecological and social stability.

Social media has amplified calls for action, with hashtags like #SauvezLeLacRose trending among environmental activists. Protests are intensifying, with organisers coordinating phone campaigns, community meetings, and public gatherings to pressure officials to halt the project before irreparable damage is done.