Dakar: the Navétanes suspended until further notice because of the YOG

The governor of the Dakar region, Ousmane Kane, issued an order banning popular football matches throughout the regional territory from Monday October 26. He calls for the mobilization of security forces for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026.

The Navétanes, these popular football competitions which are very popular in the neighborhoods, have been stopped in the Dakar region. By a decree dated October 23, 2026, Governor Ousmane Kane decides that these meetings, “as well as the activities directly related to them, are suspended throughout the territory of the Dakar region from Monday October 26, 2026, until further notice”.

No resumption date has been set. The suspension is therefore of indefinite duration.

A request from the Gendarmerie

The order follows a request from the Dakar Gendarmerie Legion. The text targets a letter from the commander of the Legion, dated October 22, 2026 (no. 1227/2/LGDK/EM), which requests “the suspension of Navetan meetings in the Dakar region”.

The governor also relies on “the security imperatives linked to the organization of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026”.

The text puts forward three justifications. The first is “the significant mobilization of security forces to ensure the smooth running of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games”. The second concerns “the risks of clashes between supporters and damage to public and private property during Navetan meetings”. The third is “the need to preserve public order and guarantee the security of people and property during this international event”.

Article 2 entrusts the execution of the measure to the prefects of the departments of Dakar, Pikine, Guédiawaye, Rufisque and Keur Massar. They are responsible “for ensuring the application of this decree, in liaison with the municipal authorities, the defense and security forces and those responsible for the organizational structures of the Navétanes”.

The decree is addressed in amplification, among others, to the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, to the Minister of Youth and Sports, to all prefects, to the colonel commanding the Western Legion of the Gendarmerie, to the central commissioner and to the president of the ORCAV.

OBN