During the Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye issued a series of decisive directives to the government, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The head of state outlined a clear roadmap, encompassing national dialogue, monitoring public sector performance, civil registration management, and ensuring access to water, thereby imposing a strong imperative for results on the executive.
Early in his address, the President revisited the upcoming National Dialogue Day, scheduled for May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he announced a pivot from extensive public consultations to individual audiences with various prominent national figures.
“Beginning tomorrow, I will receive former Prime Ministers and past ministers, particularly those who previously held portfolios in finance and internal security,” President Faye stated. He further clarified that other national personalities and representatives from diverse societal sectors would be consulted subsequently. Through this strategic approach, Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to solidify consensus around national priorities and broaden the engagement of stakeholders in shaping Senegal’s economic, social, security, and political future.
The President also placed considerable emphasis on diligently tracking governmental actions, a mandate directly impacting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his cabinet. He declared, “The optimal implementation of our National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic evaluation of public policies and close oversight of governmental operations.”
In line with this dynamic, he unveiled a reform concerning the functioning of the Council of Ministers. “For a specified period, the Council of Ministers will convene bi-weekly to strengthen the culture of assessing the impact of government initiatives,” the head of state affirmed. Bassirou Diomaye Faye thus delivered a unequivocal instruction to the executive: cultivate a robust culture of accountability and performance.
“Every member of the Government must undertake the evaluation of general directors and directors within entities under their responsibility, oversight, or control,” he demanded. The President extended this principle of scrutiny to territorial and diplomatic administrations. He tasked the Minister of Interior with evaluating administrative district heads and instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to monitor the performance of heads of diplomatic and consular missions.
Regarding local territorial entities, he requested the relevant ministry to collaborate with stakeholders in developing “an effective framework for evaluating mayors and departmental council presidents.” On the fiscal and administrative front, the head of state lauded the completion of Diamniadio’s third ministerial cluster, recognizing it as a crucial instrument for streamlining public expenditures.
He also urged the swift advancement of several strategic dossiers. “It is imperative to finalize the validation phase of the 2026-2028 multi-year budget and economic programming document, optimize the timeline for public procurement, and thoroughly prepare for budget conferences,” he instructed.
The critical issue of civil registration was among the urgent matters addressed during this Council of Ministers. Confronted with identified shortcomings within the current system, Bassirou Diomaye Faye established a precise timeline. “An Emergency Plan for Strengthening Civil Registration Management must be presented before the end of June 2026,” he commanded the minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities.
The President underscored the necessity for comprehensive reform. “It is paramount to accelerate the full digitalization of civil registration, ensure the reliability of documents, and guarantee adequate and secure preservation of registers and archives,” he stressed. Following this rationale, national consultations are slated for organization before the end of August 2026 to enhance governance in this sector.
Access to potable water also captured the President’s attention. Observing persistent challenges in several localities, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he called for immediate interventions. “All urgent measures must be implemented to significantly improve the population’s access to water,” he emphatically told the Minister of Hydraulics, in coordination with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU.
With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, Bassirou Diomaye Faye concluded by extending a message of unwavering support to the Lions of Senegal. “On behalf of the Nation, I convey a message of mobilization, encouragement, and support to the Lions,” he declared, while instructing the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to take “all appropriate supplementary measures” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the World Cup.
