PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026

The Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, July 29, 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

The Head of State presented a statement focused on the following points:

Celebration of the 132nd edition of the Magal of Touba

Recalling that the 132nd edition of the Magal of Touba will be celebrated on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the President of the Republic instructed the Government to take all necessary logistical and security measures to ensure the smooth running of the event, with particular attention to road safety and traffic management. He emphasized that this exceptional religious event has been inscribed on the national list of cultural heritage to be safeguarded and promoted since 2025.

He announced that, in preparation for the Magal pilgrimage, he had visited Touba on July 26 and 27, 2026, during which he paid a courtesy visit to Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké, the Caliph General of the Mourides, to reiterate the State's support and commitment to the development of Touba, particularly in priority sectors such as water and sanitation. To this end, he asked the Prime Minister to ensure the ongoing monitoring of programs and projects related to the sustainable development of the Touba-Mbacké metropolitan area.

Acceleration of the consensual transformation of the national education system

The Head of State considers the school to be the foundation of the Republic and the fundamental crucible of our shared desire to live together in peace, shared prosperity, mutual respect, and a culture of merit and excellence. He congratulates the students who succeeded in the various examinations held and all other members of the educational community for their collective efforts in ensuring the smooth running of the school year.

He instructs the Ministers in charge of National Education, Vocational and Technical Training, and Higher Education to proceed without delay, under the supervision of the Prime Minister, to the overall evaluation of the 2025-2026 school year and to undertake the necessary steps for the optimal guidance of students and new baccalaureate holders.

Furthermore, he calls for accelerating the execution of school construction projects and completing university construction projects on time. In this regard, he welcomes the official handover of the educational infrastructure at the University of Sine Saloum El Hadji Ibrahima Niass (USSEIN).

The President of the Republic urges the Government to pursue the consensual transformation of the national education system, involving teachers, private actors in the school system and all other stakeholders.

Finally, he announces that he will preside, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in the presence of members of the Government, over the awards ceremony for the winners of the General Competition, 2026 edition.

Development of innovation and scientific and technical research

The Head of State informs the Council that he presided, on July 21, 2026, over the solemn opening of the National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal on the theme: "Building sustainable food sovereignty for food and nutritional security, in the name of dignity".

After congratulating the President and members of the Academy for their exceptional career and notable contribution to the scientific and technical development of Senegal, he asks for an increase in its means of intervention, in order to significantly improve its role in the realization of the projects and reforms of the National Agenda for Transformation Senegal 2050.

In particular, it calls for increasing the role of science and technology in the education system, developing laboratories and applied scientific and technical research projects, accelerating the digital transformation of the education system and higher education institutions, and deploying a National Artificial Intelligence Development Plan.

In this context, he calls for strengthening the resources allocated to research and innovation, through the establishment of a National Fund for the Promotion of Research and Innovation and for initiating discussions on the establishment of a National Council for Research and Innovation.

Improving relations between the Administration and users of public services

The Head of State emphasized the importance of continuous evaluation of public service quality at the local level and within the various ministries. He reminded the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Service of the importance of organizing, before the end of 2026, the 2nd Conference of Public Administrators and Managers (CAMP) on the theme of "public service quality." Furthermore, he informed the Council that he had received the 2025 report from the Ombudsman and the 2024 and 2025 reports from the National Observatory of Places of Deprivation of Liberty.

After instructing the Prime Minister and members of the Government to diligently examine the cases that have been the subject of complaints, the President of the Republic emphasized the imperative of correcting the reported shortcomings and implementing the recommendations made in the various published reports. He called for efforts to improve relations between the Administration and the public, for a review of the missions and institutional framework of the Ombudsman, and for particular attention to be paid to the conditions of detention and care in police custody facilities and prisons.

Finally, the Head of State indicates to the Minister of Justice the urgency of ensuring: (i) the final investigation of cases under appeal; (ii) the revision of the regulatory framework relating to the treatment of mentally disabled persons; (iii) the modernization of the Penitentiary Administration, with the finalization of the respective drafts of the statute of personnel and of the Penitentiary Code.

Final phase of preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

The Head of State notes the entry into the final phase of preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with the handover of the sports infrastructure that will host the competitions. In this context, he instructs the Prime Minister, in conjunction with the Ministers of Finance, the Interior, Infrastructure, Youth and Sports, the Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ), the relevant administrative authorities, and the mayors concerned, to take all necessary measures to finalize, as quickly as possible, the roadworks and additional infrastructure projects related to the Games. He emphasizes the importance of mobilizing the population and involving local authorities to ensure greater ownership of the Youth Olympic Games.

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

The Head of State welcomes Senegal's diplomatic success at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held on July 19, 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and marked by an unprecedented plebiscite for our country in regional diplomacy.

At this summit, his peers elected him as Chairman of ECOWAS for a one-year term. The conference then endorsed the appointment of Air Force General Birame Diop, Senegal's candidate, as President of the ECOWAS Commission for the period 2026-2030. Finally, the Summit selected our country to play the role of Facilitator in the process of easing the political situation in Guinea-Bissau.

The President of the Republic emphasizes that these results reflect Senegal's diplomatic influence on the regional stage and testify to our country's pioneering role in regional stability and the deepening of integration. In this regard, he thanks the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for this expression of confidence and congratulates the Minister of Foreign Affairs and all other members of the Government for their remarkable contribution to this success.

He concluded his communication with the working visit, of friendship and solidarity, which he made to Mali on July 28, 2026, at the invitation of Army General Assimi GOITA, President of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People.

UNDER THE HEADING OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S COMMUNICATION

In his communication, the Prime Minister revisited the guidelines for strengthening vocational training and employability, particularly for students who have dropped out of school.

He noted that a third of young people aged 15 to 24 are NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). He stressed the need for support, starting in primary school, for children who cannot continue their studies for various reasons, often social in nature, including:

- the deployment of the projects "Strengthening equity, social and school inclusion" and "Daara workshop" of the "Integrated Education Transformation Program" within the framework of Axis 2, Strategic Objective 2.1 of the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050;

- the urgent census, through all available channels, in collaboration with the communities, of children who attended CM2 for the 2025/2026 school year and who will be at risk of dropping out of school for the 2026/2027 school year;

- the mobilization of existing financing mechanisms through support funds.

The Prime Minister announced that this matter will be placed on the agenda of the regular interministerial council meeting to prepare for the start of the school year. He also reiterated the instructions he gave during the interministerial council meeting on the 2026 examinations and competitions, concerning the handling of the cases of the 98 high school students who were unable to take the baccalaureate exam due to civil status issues.

Addressing the second theme of his communication focused on the food situation and responses to the lean season, the Prime Minister stressed the crucial importance of the "lean season" (June-July-August), which is a very stressful time for people and livestock.

He highlighted the latest results of the analysis session of the Harmonized Framework on Food Security, led by the Technical Secretariat of the National Food Security Council. These results reveal a significant deterioration in the food situation, with a large population experiencing severe, localized food insecurity, particularly in the Departments of Goudiry, Salémata, Bambey, Matam, Podor, and Ranérou.

To ensure the effective handling of this situation, the Prime Minister asked the Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning to urgently mobilize all the funds necessary to cover the financial needs identified by the National Response Plan (PNR), the main reference framework for interventions in the management of food, nutrition and pastoral crises.

He has committed all the structures involved in this framework to ensuring the proactive and effective mobilization of their intervention mechanisms. These include, among others, the National Solidarity Fund (FNS), the Commission for Food Security and Resilience of Senegal (CSAR), the National Council for Nutrition Development (CNDN), the Livestock Safeguarding Operation (OSB) and the National Family Security Scholarship Program (PNBSF).

Finally, the Prime Minister announced that an interministerial council to assess the state of the food situation will be held next week.

He concluded his remarks by informing the ministers that a circular would be sent to them shortly concerning the close monitoring of entities under their technical supervision, specifically regarding decisions made by executive bodies, particularly in the semi-public sector, concerning human resource management within their organizations. These decisions must comply with applicable laws and regulations, paying particular attention to strict adherence to the procedures established by labor legislation.

UNDER THE HEADING OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM MINISTERS

The Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock gave a report on the situation of the 2026/2027 agricultural campaign.

The Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition made a statement regarding the preparation of the 2026 national reforestation campaign, which is scheduled to launch on August 9, 2026.

UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS

The Council examined and adopted:

- the draft decree setting out the conditions for carrying out private security activities;

- the draft decree setting out the rules for the organization and operation of the Council for the Regulation of Private Security Activities (CRASP).

UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES

The President of the Republic has taken the following decisions:

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

• Mr. Mamadou Moustapha DIA , Inspector of Taxes and Domains, formerly Coordinator of the State Property and Land Affairs Unit, is appointed Director of Domains, replacing Mr. Abdou GNING;

• Mr. Abdourahmane BA , Principal Customs Inspector, formerly Finance Inspector, at the General Inspectorate of Finance, is appointed Director of Customs Investigations, replacing Mr. Ndiaga SOUMARE;

• Mr. Papa Ibrahima SENGHOR, Banker, holder of a Master's degree in business law, is appointed Director General of the National Debt Recovery Company (SNR), replacing Mr. Babacar NDIAYE.

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

• Mr. Kharouna TALLA , Full Professor of Solid State Physics, payroll number 106 368/B, is appointed Director of Public Higher Education, vacant position;

• Mr. Abdou Karim DIALLO , Full Professor of Universities, payroll number 605 855/C, is appointed Director of Studies and Cooperation, vacant position;

• Ms. Awa NIANG , Full Professor of Universities, payroll number 103 128/C is appointed Director of Academic and Legal Affairs, vacant position.

On behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum:

• Mrs. Oumy Khairy DIAO DIOP, holder of a Master's degree in Economics, Regulation and Energy, payroll number 675 936/I, is appointed Permanent Secretary for Energy;

• Mrs. Fatou MBOW LY , Electrical Engineering Engineer, payroll number 765 771/E, is appointed Director General of Energy;

• Mr. Papa Samba BA , Petroleum Engineer, payroll number 746 089/H, is appointed Director General of Control and Monitoring of Operations;

• Mr. Babacar CISSE , Lawyer and Expert in Downstream Petroleum, payroll number 702 291/I, is appointed Director of Supply, Transformation and Distribution;

• Mr. Mbaye NIANG , Petroleum Engineer, is appointed Director of Control and Monitoring of Oil and Gas Operations;

• Ms. Fatou THIAM SOW , Statistical Engineer, payroll number 617 898/E, is appointed Director of Planning, Studies and Monitoring-Evaluation;

• Mrs. Yaye Catherine DIOP , Energy Engineer, payroll number 765 770/F, is appointed Director of Energy Transition;

• Mr. Fodé NDAO , Lawyer, payroll number 766 439/C, is appointed Head of the Execution and Management Unit of the Strategic Orientation Committee for Oil and Gas (GES-PETROGAZ);

• Mr. Cheikh BA , State Security Specialist, is appointed Inspector of Administrative and Financial Affairs;

• Mrs. Néné SIDIBE NIANG , Secondary School Teacher in Management, payroll number 625 265/H, is appointed Technical Inspector;

• Mr. Ibrahima NOBA , Petroleum Engineer, payroll number 767 774/D, formerly Director of Exploration and Production, is appointed Director General of Hydrocarbons, replacing Mr. Thierno Seydou LY, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Mactar NDIAYE , Electromechanical Engineer, formerly Technical Advisor for Electricity, is appointed Director of Electricity, replacing Mr. Cheikh Moulaye Idrissa Fall;

• Mr. Cheikh Tidiane Sarr THIAM , Legal Expert, is appointed Director of Strategy and Regulation;

• Mr. Ababacar GUEYE, Lecturer in Public Law, payroll number 775 770/E, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Special Fund for Support to the Energy Sector (FSE), replacing Mr. Mamane DJITTE who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Cheikh Oumar TALL , Financial Expert, is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the National Agency for Renewable Energies (ANER), replacing Mr. Adama DIAWARA.

On behalf of the Ministry of Communication and Relations with Institutions

• Mrs. Seynabou MBAYE , Secondary School Teacher, payroll number 602 246/D, is appointed Director of Relations with Institutions;

• Mr. Habibou DIA , Specialist in Journalism and Communication, payroll number 763986/C, is appointed Director of Communication.

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports:

• Ms. Marième Kane DIALLO, Sociologist of Organizations and Work, payroll number 618 298/L, is appointed Director of Human Resources and Training, vacant position;

• Ms. Marième DIENG , Expert in Entrepreneurship and Employability, is appointed Director of Entrepreneurship Promotion and Partnerships, a vacant position.

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

• Mr. Ibrahima Sory SARR , Planner, payroll number 615 808/F, is appointed Director of General Administration and Equipment, vacant position;

• Mr. Baba NDOYE , Tourism Executive, payroll number 611 817/H, is appointed Inspector of Administrative and Financial Affairs, replacing Mr. Mohamed Lamine DIOP.

On behalf of the Ministry of National Education

• Ms. Tabaski BA , holder of a Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing and Communication, is appointed Director General of the National Agency for Early Childhood and the Case des Tout-Petits, replacing Ms. Yaye Khadidiatou Djamila DIALLO.

Bacary SARR ,

Minister of Communication and

Relations with Institutions,

Government Spokesperson.