Press release from the Council of Ministers, Wednesday, July 1, 2026

The Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Palace of the Republic, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic.

UNDER THE HEADING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC'S COMMUNICATION

In his opening remarks, the Head of State offered his encouragement to the Senegalese national football team after their honorable participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He expressed his support for all the African teams still in contention and wished them continued success in the competition.

Consensual modernization of public governance

The President of the Republic reiterates that the Constitution, of which he is the Guardian, reflects the will of all citizens to affirm and consolidate the foundations of the Nation and the State, in order to forge a shared destiny through solidarity, hard work, and patriotic commitment. He emphasizes the inclusive national dialogue processes he has initiated since assuming the highest office, with all stakeholders, aimed at the consensual and appropriate modernization of our judicial, political, and institutional systems. He notes that the adjustments he had envisioned were intended to take into account, for the most part, our political history, democratic achievements, and the strengths of our institutions and public authorities.

The Head of State notes the Government's remarkable stance of clarification and congratulates the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, for his eloquent performance during the examination of draft constitutional law No. 17/2026, initiated by members of the majority party. Commending this republican approach by the executive branch, he reaffirms his commitment to pursuing appropriate consultations and dialogue with all stakeholders in the nation, in order to facilitate a revision and consolidation of the Constitution that respects national sovereignty.

Revitalizing decentralization and strengthening territorial development

The President of the Republic considers the deepening of decentralization, through the territorialization of public policies, a priority for accelerating territorial development and improving the efficiency of the State and the well-being of the population. To this end, he has asked the Prime Minister and the Minister in charge of Local Authorities to finalize the processes for the consensual establishment of Territorial Hubs, involving all relevant stakeholders.

He emphasizes the need to increase and accelerate the decentralization of public investments by redefining the mechanisms for transferring powers to local authorities and by evaluating the financial relationships between these authorities and the State. To this end, he asks the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Planning and the Minister for Local Authorities to co-chair an annual conference on local finances, with a view to improving transparency in the financial management of municipalities and departments. The President of the Republic also urges them to initiate discussions with local government executives to update the legislation concerning land management and the real estate assets of local authorities.

Finally, he announces that he will preside over a meeting with territorial executives on July 2, 2026, in order to strengthen state support for local authorities and to give new impetus to decentralization, planning and development of territories.

Transformation of public finance governance

The Head of State noted that he had established a unified Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Planning to consolidate and optimize the State's economic, budgetary, financial, and accounting management, within a framework of systematic control over public policy planning. In this regard, he indicated that he had approved the creation of a Directorate General for Finance and Debt to strengthen and specialize the State's accounting function and ensure the comprehensive, proactive, and preventative management of public resources and expenditures, as well as the debt of the State and its agencies.

The President of the Republic requests that measures be taken for the optimal implementation of the comprehensive transformation of the national public finance system.

Finally, he congratulates the Government for holding the Budgetary Orientation Debate in a demanding context of restoring public finances, strategically controlling public debt and reviving the economy, while ensuring the strong involvement of the national private sector.

Preparations for the Grand Magal of Touba and the Mawlid

The Head of State emphasizes that the 2026 editions of the Grand Magal of Touba and the Mawlid will be celebrated during the month of August, in the middle of the rainy season. To this end, he has instructed the Government to take all necessary logistical and security precautions, in conjunction with the organizers, to ensure that the events take place under the best possible conditions. In this same vein, he has directed the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene to urgently take all necessary measures and arrangements for the opening of the new El Hadji Malick Sy Hospital in Tivaouane.

Agenda of the President of the Republic, monitoring of integration, cooperation and partnerships

The Head of State informs the Council that he undertook an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from June 21 to 23, 2026, at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeir and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This visit included meetings with high-ranking German officials, audiences with business leaders, a German-Senegalese economic forum, and a roundtable discussion with businesspeople. He thanks the German President and Chancellor for their hospitality and the quality of the discussions, which yielded significant results.

The Head of State also announced that he presided, on June 30, 2026, over the graduation ceremony for the magistrates of the Dior FALL SOW class (2024-2026), which was themed: "The independence of the Justice system, foundation of the rule of law".

UNDER THE HEADING OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S COMMUNICATION

The Prime Minister presented his statement on the following points:

- the acceleration of procedures for managing disputes concerning state land and built heritage;

- the situation of drinking water supply in urban and rural areas.

Recalling the strategic importance of managing land disputes in urban areas, given their significant impact on citizens' lives and economic activity, particularly in the construction and public works sector, the Prime Minister highlighted the remaining progress noted in implementing the recommendations from the land audit reports prepared by the committee established at the Prime Minister's office. Based on this assessment, he instructed the committee to implement all necessary and urgent measures to alleviate the uncertainty faced by a considerable number of individuals acting in good faith and affected by work stoppages, and to revitalize the construction and public works sector. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing land disputes through a holistic land reform based on an integrated and intersectional approach aimed at ensuring equitable and sustainable land governance.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need:

- to strengthen the means of intervention of the Directorate General for Monitoring and Control of Land Use (DGSCOS) for the 2027 management;

- to ensure the regular functioning of the regional and departmental committees for urban planning, housing and living environment as monitoring and regulatory bodies;

- to proceed with the development of a proposed doctrine for resolving cases of irregular transfers by SOGEPA.

Regarding the situation of drinking water supply management in urban and rural areas, the Prime Minister noted that despite the implementation of most of the decisions from the Interministerial Council on Drinking Water Supply, held on August 23, 2024, the sector faces difficulties related to:

- the completion of the institutional reform of rural water management;

- the restoration of the financial balance of urban water supply.

He asked the Minister in charge of Water Resources, in conjunction with the Minister in charge of Finance, to set up a working group coordinated by the Prime Minister's office, with a view to proposing, by the end of July at the latest, a detailed action plan to resolve the shortcomings identified.

Regarding major structural projects, the Prime Minister mentioned the need to secure the necessary budgetary resources.

He also invited the Minister in charge of Water Resources to submit, by mid-July, a draft roadmap for renegotiating loan repayment schedules, transferring funding, settling outstanding invoices, and resuming work on the Sambangalou dam. This draft will be submitted to the Head of State, with a view to raising awareness among his counterparts in the OMVG member countries, for approval by the organization's Council of Ministers.

The Prime Minister concluded his remarks on the importance of government communication, which is a strategic instrument for conducting public action.

He invited the Minister in charge of Communication and the Minister in charge of Monitoring, Steering and Evaluation of the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050, to finalize the work already begun and to present it at the next Council of Ministers.

UNDER THE HEADING OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM MINISTERS

The Minister of Health and Public Hygiene gave a presentation on the theme: "Pharmaceutical sovereignty, a lever for health security and economic development".

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Public Service Reform presented a communication on the draft law establishing a general code of ethics and professional conduct for public officials.

UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS

The Council examined and adopted the draft law authorizing the President of the Republic to ratify the Marrakech Treaty aimed at facilitating access for blind, visually impaired and people with other difficulties in reading printed texts to published works, adopted in Marrakech on June 27, 2013 and entered into force on September 30, 2016.

UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES

The President of the Republic has taken the following decisions:

On behalf of the Presidency of the Republic

• Mr. Faly SECK, Principal Civil Administrator, is appointed President of the High Council for Social Dialogue, a vacant position;

• Mr. Abdoulaye NIANE, Tax Expert, is appointed General Delegate for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER/FJ), replacing Mrs. Aïssatou MBODJI;

• Mr. Amadou NIANG , Consultant, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Building Heritage Management Company (SOGEPA), a vacant position.

Under the Prime Minister's Office

• Mr. Moustapha MBENGUE, Doctor of Information and Communication Sciences, is appointed Director of the Archives of Senegal, a vacant position.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning

• Mr. Abdourahmane BALDE, Tax Lawyer, is appointed Director General of the Senegalese National Lottery (LONASE), replacing Mr. Toussaint MANGA;

• Mr. Mamadou GUEYE, holder of a higher diploma in Finance and Accounting, is appointed Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund, a vacant position.

On behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security

• Mr. Guédji DIOUF , Principal Civil Administrator of exceptional class, payroll number 606 920/E, formerly Governor of the Tambacounda region, is appointed Governor of the Kaolack region, replacing Mr. Mouhamadou Moctar WATT, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Abdourahmane NDIAYE , Principal Civil Administrator, payroll number 661 357/D, is appointed Governor of the Tambacounda region, replacing Mr. Guédji DIOUF, who has been called to other duties.

On behalf of the Ministry of Communication and Relations with Institutions

• Mr. Mouhamadou Moustapha THIOUNE, Principal Civil Administrator, payroll number 608 875/H, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Relations with Institutions;

• Mr. Mamadou Moustapha DIALLO, Specialist in Project Management and Public Finance, payroll number 634 436/Z, formerly Director of General Administration and Equipment at the Ministry of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, is appointed Director of General Administration and Equipment at the Ministry of Communication and Relations with Institutions.

On behalf of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Technology

• Mr. Serigne Ahmadou Bamba SY, Geomechanical Engineer, Project Management Expert, payroll number 751 991/B, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Technology.

On behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy

• Mr. Thierno Seydou LY, Petroleum Engineer, payroll number 727 813/B, is appointed Director General of the Senegal Petroleum Company (PETROSEN Holding SA), replacing Mr. Alioune GUEYE.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Mines and Geology

• Mr. Mamady TOURE, Geological Engineer, Mining Expert, is appointed Director General of the Senegal Mining Company (SOMISEN), replacing Mr. Ngagne Demba TOURE.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, Crafts and Tourism

• Mr. Abdou Simbandy DIATTA, Teacher in Arts and Culture, formerly Director General of Culture, is appointed Director General of the Museum of Black Civilizations, a vacant position.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Regional Development

• Mr. Mamadou DIOUF, Specialist in Decentralization and Local Development, is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Local Development Agency (ADL).

Under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce

• Mr. Cheikh Ahmeth Tidiane GUEYE, Food Chemical Engineer, Specialist in Transformation, is appointed Director General of the National Oilseed Marketing Company of Senegal (SONACOS SA), vacant position;

• Mr. Ismaila KEBE, Management, Audit and Evaluation Consultant, is appointed Director General of the Agency for the Development and Support of Small and Medium Enterprises (ADEPME), a vacant position;

• Mr. Oumar REMY, International Trade Expert, is appointed Director General of the Agency for the Promotion of Industrial Sites (APROSI), replacing Mr. Mamadou Lamine NDIAYE.

On behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

• Mr. Barka CISSE, Human Resources Manager, is appointed Director of the Regional Centre for University Social Works of the Souleymane NIANG University of Matam, a vacant position;

• Mr. Baye Mayoro DIOP, Teacher-Researcher, is appointed Director of the Regional Centre for University Social Works of the Alioune Diop University of Bambey, replacing Mr. Aliou SÈNE.

On behalf of the Ministry of Family, Social Action and Solidarity

• Mr. Cheikh Tacko DIOP, Associate Professor of Medicine, holder of a higher diploma in Public Finance and Health Economics, is appointed General Delegate for Social Protection and National Solidarity, replacing Mr. Matar SENE;

• Mr. Paul Joseph NDIAYE, holder of a Master's degree in Audit and Management Control, is appointed Director General of Social Action (DGAS), replacing Mr. Boucar DIOUF.

Bacary SARR,

Minister of Communication and Relations with Institutions,

Government Spokesperson