The
Association of Writers of Senegal (AES) has awarded several African writers,
including Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mamadou Tangara and President
of the Writers’ Association of The Gambia, Dr Cherno Omar Barry, as part of
activities marking the celebrationof International Day of the African Writer.
The
annual celebration was held in KërBirago Bu Bees, in the Senegalese capital,
Dakar, between 7th and 11th November. It was organized by the Association of
Writers of Senegal (AES) and funded by the Congolese writer, Henri Djombo, who
is the President of the Union of Writers of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He is also DR Congo’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
The
highest award and prize of this year’s event was the “Yasser Arafat Grand Prize
for Peace and Freedom,” which was first awarded in 2017, to Egyptian writer –
Mohamed Salmawy, was this year received by Guinean writer - Djibril
TamsirNiane, for his hard work and commitment.
Other
prizes includedthe Golden Birago (Birago D’Or), awarded to Minister Mamadou
Tangara, while the Aminata Maiga Ka prize was awarded to Dr Cherno Omar Barry.
Senegalese
President Macky Sall was honoured De La Fraternite De Plumeawarded,
whilePresident Adama Barrow of The Gambia was honoured with De
L’IntegrationAfricaine. Denis SassouNguesso of the Republic of Congo received
De La Fraternite De Plume award.
Other
awards include the Parrain de la 27 Edition JIEA for Henry Djombo (R Congo);
OumarSankhare de la Critique Litteraire – Abdoulaye Racine Senghor (Senegal);
OusmaneSembene du Roman – Helene Lobe (Cote D’Ivoire), David Diop de la Poesie
– Jean Claude Awono (Cameroun), Amadou Cisse Dia du Theatre – Ibrahima Sall
(Senegal), Aminata Maiga Ka de la Nouvelle – Dr Cherno Omar Barry (Gambia),
Bernard B Dadie de la Reconnaissance International – Huppert Malanda (R Congo).
The
event was presided over by the Senegalese President of the Economic, Social and
Environmental Council, Aminata Toure.
The
Writers’ Association of the Gambia (WAG) was the guest of honor at the weeklong
celebration, with full support from the Minister of Tourism and Culture,
Honorable Hamat Bah.
