Overview

Formerly known as Cité Claudel, after independence the area was named after Aline Sitoe Diatta

Aline Sitoe Diatta

Aline Sitoe Diatta : a Senegalese heroine of the resistance to French colonialism, often called the Joan of Arc or the Marianne of Senegal....

, an anti-colonial leader from Casamance

Casamance

Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It consists of Basse Casamance and Haute Casamance...

. Although the name has changed, many still refer to the area as Claudel or Fann. Cité Aline Sitoe Diatta is the home of Cheikh Anta Diop University

Cheikh Anta Diop University

Cheikh Anta Diop University , also known as the University of Dakar, is a university in Dakar, Senegal. It is named after the Senegalese historian and anthropologist Cheikh Anta Diop and has an enrollment of over 60,000.-History:...

, and consequently hosts a large, vibrant (and often crowded) student community. Just west of the prosperous Medina neighborhood and bordered by the ocean Corniche road and Point Fann, in the early 20th century the area was military drill ground, called the "Champ de Fann", which later became a sports ground. Administratively, it is part of Dakar Plateau, the city center. As it lies at the conjunction of the University area and the government and business center of the nation, it is often the scene of student protests.