Saint-Louis, Senegal: Historical traces of slave trade vanish

Historians are expressing concern as physical traces of the transatlantic slave trade vanish in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The facade of a two-century-old former slave warehouse has recently collapsed, leaving a gap in the building's balcony.

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Senegal River, Saint-Louis served as a major center for the slave trade. Historian Mamadou Diallo notes that during the 18th century, at least 10,000 enslaved people transitioned through Saint-Louis annually. The specific building in decay was constructed between 1822 and 1825 and originally belonged to the Bordeaux-based commercial company Maurel et Prom.

While Gorée Island has become a well-known symbol of the trade, Saint-Louis remains less recognized despite its historical significance as the first French trading post in sub-Saharan Africa, established in 1659. Historian Ibrahima Seck explains that the trade often peaked during the high-water season from May to November, involving captives from the pre-colonial Galam kingdom.