Hailing from Joal-Fadiouth, a commune in the coastal petite-côte region of Senegal, southeast of Dakar, Sidy Daffé has experienced the dangers of irregular migration firsthand. After several failed attempts to reach Europe by sea, he decided to take control of his destiny by becoming an activist. Today, he educates young people about the risks of this perilous journey, drawing on his hard-earned wisdom as someone who would rather save lives than watch them drown.

On the main road in Joal-Fadiouth sits a striking young man, his gaze deep and determined as he rests on a bench. With his dark complexion and sincere expression, Sidy Daffé is certainly not just another passer-by. He introduces himself as an ‘ambassador for illegal migration’, a role he embraces with pride despite his turbulent past.

His involvement with irregular migration began in 2006 when he decided to try his luck by boarding a dugout canoe bound for Spain. What motivated him? A desire to discover another world and the firm belief that he could find better living and working conditions there. But the journey turned brutal. The unforgiving sea claimed the lives of some of his companions, leaving a lasting scar on his soul. “Everything was going well for me professionally at the time — I was a fishmonger here in Joal, earning a decent living,” he recalls. After just two months in Spain, he was repatriated following an agreement between Spanish authorities and then-President Abdoulaye Wade and was forever changed by the experience. Upon his return, he resumed his trade.

Despite everything he went through in 2006, Sidy Daffé did not give up on his dream of leaving the country. In 2017, he tried again, this time with renewed determination. However, this attempt ended in failure once again: “The national navy spotted our canoe very early on and intercepted us”, he explains calmly, but with a hint of regret in his voice. The fear, the police brutality and the failure of this new attempt have left a deep mark on this man who has already paid a heavy price for his thirst for freedom. What pushed him to set sail again was also a reality that was difficult to accept: “I decided to set sail again in 2017 because, to tell the truth, I had managed to forget all the suffering of the previous attempt. And then there’s the lack of financial support”, he replies, his eyes clouded by nostalgia for his failures. Despite this new attempt, he tried again for a third time in 2019. But, once again, the sea did not smile on him: failure after failure.

Decisive turning point

After repeated failures, frustration gave way to reflection. ‘After all those failures, I decided not to try again, but to focus on my job as a fishmonger, which I know well,’ says Daffé, who is now in his thirties. However, 2019 also marked a turning point. Drawing on his personal experience, he became an ‘ambassador for illegal migration in Joal-Fadiouth and the surrounding areas’. His mission is to raise awareness among young people and their families on the dangers of illegal migration. He aims to break the silence, dispel illusions and save lives above all else. His experience, his repeated failures and his determination to change the destiny of his community have made him a committed figure in the fight against a phenomenon that he says costs lives and tears families apart.

Daffé fights his battles passionately and relentlessly on the ground. He now runs a YouTube channel dedicated to raising awareness and he has built a network that enables him to meet bereaved families, search for missing migrants and share stories that open eyes and minds. According to him, his work comes at a cost. “Illegal migration has become big business, fuelled by people who see the journey to Europe as a financial opportunity,” he warns. Despite criticism, Daffé persists. He knows his struggle is vital. In his view, many young Senegalese embark on these dangerous journeys without understanding the reality of the risks, often at the cost of their lives or mental health. For Sidy Daffé, the challenge is clear: “Protect the youth, teach them to stay and help them to build their country.”