Senegal honors champions of decentralized cooperation September 14, 2026
The Ambassador of Senegal to France, HE Baye Moctar DIOP, presented, on September 10, 2026, on behalf of the President of the Republic, the insignia of Commander and Knight of the National Order of the Lion, in a foreign capacity, to Messrs. Daniel MILLIERE, President of the NGO Horizons Sahel, and Serge ANCELOT, former mayor of the town of Auffreville-Brasseuil.
Paris (France): Already elevated to the dignity of Officer of the National Order of the Lion in 2015, Daniel MILLIERE’s story with Senegal began in November 1999, during a visit to the Joal-Fadiouth hospital. An accomplished health professional, he was able to transform an emotion into lasting action, founding the Horizons Sahel association in 2007, which became an NGO in 2009. From the first containers of medical equipment shipped in 2015, the NGO has grown to more than 220 shipments, representing a value of more than 4 billion CFA francs.
As for Serge ANCELOT, former mayor of Auffreville-Brasseuil, he is a visionary entrepreneur, former Paris-Dakar pilot, who embodies active and multifaceted solidarity. Mr. ANCELOT is also sponsor of Franco-Senegalese hospital cooperation. It has forged lasting links between the hospitals of Ourossogui and Rambouillet, between Argenteuil and Keur Madiabel, facilitated transport and the implementation of concrete partnerships that save lives and strengthen our respective health systems. The creation of an office automation school, the reconstruction of educational establishments and the sending of new medical equipment are also to his credit.
Faithful to its tradition, Senegal has chosen a humanist and united diplomacy, open to all people of good will, because, according to the ambassador, “it is from this diversity that the most innovative and sustainable solutions are born”. Baye Moctar DIOP underlined the scope of these distinctions, recalling that they cannot be reduced to the sole recognition of an individual performance. “Above all, they salute an unwavering commitment, a high sense of duty and an exemplary dedication to serving the centuries-old relations uniting two peoples and two nations linked by history. »
Discussing their journey, Ambassador DIOP highlighted the exemplary nature of the recipients, the values they embody, as well as their work and their solidarity actions in favor of populations and local authorities. He finally sent his warm congratulations to Daniel MILLIERE and Serge ANCELOT, whose experience and commitment constitute an eloquent testimony to the quality of the relations which unite Senegal with its partners.
“Being admitted to the National Order of the Lion is a supreme honor. It is a distinction that we carry with gravity, because it is binding. It establishes you as custodians of honor, dignity and republican ideals. It makes you brave knights of human dignity and ambassadors of the unwavering friendship that unites Senegal and France,” the ambassador reminded the recipients.
Placed under the sign of recognition and excellence, the ceremony was held at the Chancellery of the Embassy of Senegal in France, in the presence of Christophe MARION, Member of Parliament for the 3rd constituency of Loir-et-Cher, member of the France-Senegal friendship group of the National Assembly, Laurent BRILLARD, Mayor of Vendôme, President of the Territoires Vendômois agglomeration community, Damien VIGNIER, Mayor of Les Mureaux, Deputy Vice-President of Solidarity of Grand Paris Seine et Oise (GPSO), as well as numerous personalities, relatives and friends of the recipients.
Ousmane Noël MBAYE
