Thiès: Mbaye Kébé takes the reins of the brand new Senegal Youth Advisory Council

Meeting in general assembly this Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Thiès, the members of the National College of the Senegalese Youth Advisory Council (CCJS) elected the Executive Board of this new body dedicated to youth participation in public life. Following the vote, Mbaye Kébé, a regional councilor from Kaolack, was elected National President of the CCJS. A total of forty-six of the Council's forty-seven members participated in this general assembly; only the representative of the diaspora was absent. Three candidates, two men and one woman, were vying for the presidency. The vote took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, illustrating, in the opinion of the participants, the democratic maturity of Senegalese youth.

Mbaye Kébé calls for unity and collective action

Speaking immediately after his election, Mbaye Kébé expressed his profound gratitude while affirming his strong commitment to working collaboratively with all members of the Council. "I want to thank God for this immense opportunity we have been given. We are thinking of all the young people who placed their trust in us. The inclusive process allowed all segments of Senegalese youth to participate in this vote. This proves that young people have become autonomous and independent," he declared enthusiastically.

The new president also emphasized that this electoral victory belongs to all Senegalese youth, not to any particular cartel or group. "The message from the youth is unity. We must not discriminate. Together with all members of the Executive Bureau, we will develop a collective roadmap that takes into account all perspectives," he added. Mbaye Kébé announced that a comprehensive assessment will be conducted to evaluate the institution's current level of engagement and identify the priority challenges to be addressed in order to effectively meet the pressing needs of young people.

A strategic body for co-constructing public policies

Present at this historic meeting, the Director General of Youth, Babacar Sall, recalled that the Senegal Youth Advisory Council was formally established by presidential decree during the year 2025. According to him, this high-level structure aims to organically involve young people in the development and evaluation of public policies that directly impact their daily lives.

“The President of the Republic believes that young people must be actively involved in all public policies that concern them. This council now allows young people to express their opinions, formulate strategic recommendations, and promote their direct civic participation in decision-making bodies,” explained Babacar Sall. He further emphasized that the CCJS (Council of Youth and Sports) provides a framework for ongoing exchange and dialogue between youth, the State, the private sector, and local authorities. With the official installation of its Executive Bureau, the body is now entering a new operational phase, focused on defining its priority projects to serve the inclusive development of Senegal.