Abdou Diouf celebrates his 91st birthday

Abdou Diouf, the second president in Senegal's political history, celebrates his 91st birthday this Monday, September 7, 2026. Born on September 7, 1935, in Louga, the former head of state remains a towering figure in the country's political and institutional life.

Appointed regional governor at the age of 26, Abdou Diouf quickly rose through the ranks of the administration: chief of staff to Léopold Sédar Senghor, secretary general of the Presidency, then Minister of Planning and Industry. He subsequently served as Prime Minister from 1970 to 1980, before succeeding Senghor as head of state on January 1, 1981.

For nineteen years, from 1981 to 2000, Abdou Diouf presided over the destiny of Senegal. His presidency was marked by the deepening of democracy through the proliferation of political parties, the gradual liberalization of the economy, and the decentralization of the administration. His governance remains associated with a style of restraint, rigor, and attentiveness, praised by both his peers and his opponents.

His influence extends beyond national borders. A champion of greater unity among African states, Abdou Diouf was appointed Secretary General of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) from 2003 to 2015, where he represented for twelve years the values ​​of peace, diversity and democracy shared by 88 states and governments.

At 91, the former president remains a leading figure on the political scene. Abdou Diouf, a civil servant who left his mark on his era through his discretion and respect for institutions.