“Mbel Saac”, the tasty couscous “Made in Fadiouth” threatened October 19, 2026

In Fadiouth, the famous couscous prepared with sea water, supported by the women’s association “Mbel Saac”, has lost its production tool. Ravaged by a fire on November 29, 2025, the cereal processing unit, acquired thanks to Italian partners and Slow Food International, was completely destroyed. President Anna Ndiaye launches an appeal to the authorities and goodwill.

In Fadiouth, there is a couscous whose notoriety goes far beyond the borders of the island. Prepared with sea water, it has a particular flavor. It is sold in supermarkets and a little abroad. This couscous is produced by the “Mbel Saac” association. In addition to oyster farming and the processing of fish products, the structure had a cereal production unit.

In 2010, thanks to the support of the Joal-Fadiouth-Ngazobil town hall, the president of the “Mbel Saac” association went to Turin, Italy, to negotiate a cereal processing unit on behalf of her association. It was in the company of the mayor as well as one of the deputy mayors at the time. The two town halls, reports Ms. Anna Ndiaye, are twinned.

It was a golden opportunity for the team to organize a couscous tasting ceremony, seasoned with seafood and other local condiments. A discovery. A delight. The reaction was instantaneous. The hosts liked it. They loved it. They adapted the couscous, to the point of ordering it in large quantities.

Three months later, the Italian partners and Slow Food International supported the “Mbel Saac” association with the purchase of a local cereal processing unit. A unit installed at the entrance to the island, just after the Grand-Place. It made it possible to increase the couscous production capacity of the “Mbel Saac” association and, consequently, the income of its members.

But, unfortunately, underlines Ms. Anna Ndiaye, because of a short circuit, the unit caught fire, stopping the cereal processing activity of the women’s association. It was November 29, 2025.

“Everything went up in smoke. The fire burned everything. It lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Elements of the fire brigade were unable to return to the island with their trucks. It is a bridge for pedestrians which is not sized for vehicles,” underlines President Anna Ndiaye.

She continues: “We are asking the authorities as well as those of goodwill to support us in obtaining a new cereal processing unit,” said President Anna Ndiaye.

She recalls that they hired a bailiff to make a report. It turns out, she maintains, that the facilities were not provided.

A. DIOUF