Senegal's SN-HLM Director Sparks Employee Protest Over Layoffs

Pape Abdourahmane Dabo, appointed director general of Senegal's state‑run housing agency SN‑HLM in February, announced the termination of nine senior staff members, citing deteriorating assets, financial difficulties and low productivity.

The decision triggered an internal protest. Employees gathered inside the agency’s headquarters, chanting “Qu'il dégage!” and later wearing red armbands to signal dissent. Police were called in to restore order after the demonstration turned confrontational.

Dabo explained that the dismissed agents had been unproductive for more than two years and that the layoffs were part of a restructuring aimed at improving the company’s financial health and efficiency.