The Head of State, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, chaired the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Palace of the Republic.
At the start of his address, the President of the Republic extended his warm congratulations and expressed his solidarity with the Christian community on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. He prayed for a prosperous Senegal in peace and national harmony. He seized the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent to highlight the exemplary nature of interreligious dialogue and the peaceful coexistence between faiths—an invaluable asset that fundamentally strengthens the collective will to reinforce communal living in Senegal. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Government met on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with representatives of trade unions, employers, and other key national stakeholders for a transparent exchange session. The discussions focused, on one hand, on the country’s economic, financial, and social situation, and on the other, on the objective limitations of the State in addressing the requests and grievances expressed.
The Head of State congratulated the Prime Minister and the members of the Government for holding and successfully conducting this unprecedented exercise in dialogue, characterized by transparency and mutual respect for the convictions, proposals, and recommendations of each participant. He praised the sense of listening and responsibility demonstrated by the trade unions and employers in the face of the current budgetary and financial realities of the State, as confirmed by the public finance audit report (covering the period from 2019 to March 2024) published by the Court of Auditors.
The President of the Republic urged the Government to continue serene dialogue with social partners to achieve optimal handling of grievances within the framework of a consolidated government action plan overseen by the Prime Minister. He invited the Prime Minister and the Minister in charge of Labor to work with trade unions and employers to establish a negotiation schedule aimed at signing, on May 1, 2025, a social stability pact for the 2025-2029 period. This would also involve setting semi-annual evaluation meetings to strengthen tripartite social dialogue (State-Employers-Unions), which must be based on trust, truth, pragmatism, and the constant safeguarding of the Nation’s interests. Furthermore, he instructed the Government to ensure, in compliance with laws and regulations, the handling of union and employer grievances that have no impact on public finances or only a minor, manageable impact, according to a set timeline. Along the same lines, he directed the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Budget to urgently explore ways and means to accelerate the clearance of the audited domestic debt.
The Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister in charge of the Public Service, will undertake a review of the remuneration system in the public sector (civil service and parastatal sector), paving the way for a fairer and more equitable framework. Addressing the upcoming celebration of International Women’s Rights Day on March 8, 2025, the Head of State warmly congratulated and thanked all the women of Senegal and Africa. He commended the organization of National Women’s Week and highlighted the fundamental role of women in Senegal’s economic and social development. He urged the Minister of Family and Solidarity to continue and intensify advocacy efforts in the fight against violence toward women. He also places paramount importance on the education and vocational training of young girls, as well as the support and financing of women’s economic activities within a sustained dynamic of territorialized funding.
The President of the Republic reminded the Minister of Family and Solidarity of the urgency of finalizing the bill on women’s economic empowerment. This innovative new legislative framework will expand and pool opportunities for training, support, and financing of women’s activities. It will notably facilitate the national anchoring of the social and solidarity economy, as well as community development in all regions of the country. To this end, it is essential to update the census of women’s groups and organizations at the departmental level to establish a comprehensive mapping and a reliable, high-performing information system to better target State interventions. In the same vein, he invited the Prime Minister and the Minister of Family and Solidarity to initiate the consolidation of credits and funds allocated to the financing and development of women’s entrepreneurship.
In this perspective of improving State support and assistance to women, the Head of State asked the Minister of Family and Solidarity to strengthen the missions, composition, and resources of the Women’s Advisory Council, particularly regarding the promotion of women’s entrepreneurship, equipment and alleviation of women’s tasks, programming of infrastructure projects benefiting women, and the protection of vulnerable women, especially those living with disabilities.
Additionally, he urged the Minister of Family and Solidarity to implement a genuine policy to promote the family based on the strong cultural and religious values of our society. To conclude this section, the President of the Republic requested that the Minister of Family and Solidarity revise the intervention methods of the National Family Security Grants Program in light of the evaluations conducted and the updated National Single Registry (RNU).
Artisanal fishing is a critical sub-sector employing a significant portion of the active population. Given the difficulties observed in recent years, the Head of State instructed the Prime Minister and the Minister in charge of Fisheries to engage in inclusive consultations with all relevant stakeholders to establish the revival and development of this vital sub-sector of the national economy.
In his address, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the proceedings of the tripartite meeting held on February 27, 2025, under his chairmanship, involving the Government, workers’ trade unions, and employers’ organizations.
He emphasized the key takeaways from the meeting, including the breadth and diversity of union demands and the importance placed on the prompt settlement of the State’s financial obligations to businesses. He also noted the positive reception from employers regarding the role reserved for the national private sector in the Senegal 2050 Agenda, local content, and the draft law on economic patriotism currently under development. Furthermore, he commended the involvement of students and pupils in this meeting, highlighting the relevance of the call made by the student representative to consider the future of youth in managing State-union relations.
The Prime Minister underscored the urgency of inclusive and sincere social dialogue aimed at concluding a National Social Stability Pact by May 1, 2025, at the latest, with the goal of reaching balanced decisions that address demands while taking into account the country’s economic and financial situation. To this end, he provided the necessary directives to the Minister in charge of Labor, in coordination with the Minister in charge of the Public Service and the Minister of Finance and Budget, to ensure the required steps are taken to adhere strictly to the negotiation start date of no later than April 2, 2025. In the meantime, the Prime Minister tasked the relevant Government members with accelerating and finalizing, as soon as possible, actions related to certain concerns raised during the tripartite meeting.
These include, notably, the resolution of demands that can be implemented immediately, the issue of salary equity, the second phase of measures to reduce the cost of living with no budgetary impact, the revamped social housing construction program, the revival of economic activities—particularly in the construction and public works sector—as well as the completion of old school, university, and hospital construction projects, and the launch of new ones.
He reiterated his firm instructions for the timely payment of salaries, bonuses, scholarships, and amounts owed to university restaurant managers. Regarding employers’ concerns, the Prime Minister took note of the Head of State’s directives, urging the Minister of Finance and Budget to submit, as soon as possible, a strategy for settling the State’s financial commitments to businesses.
Concerning the private sector’s involvement in implementing the Senegal 2050 Agenda, he requested that the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation, in collaboration with the Minister and Secretary General of the Government, organize meetings with the private sector in April 2025 to discuss the Agenda’s strategic orientations and the project portfolio for the 2025-2029 five-year plan.
To conclude this first part of his address, the Prime Minister once again issued a heartfelt call to social partners, in light of the difficult situation inherited from the previous regime and the State’s efforts toward transparency and addressing their concerns, for a patriotic surge embodied in a Stability Pact aimed at the accelerated recovery and successful takeoff of Senegal. Turning to the second theme of his address, the Prime Minister informed the Council of preparatory meetings held between the Minister and Secretary General of the Government and the Ministers whose departments are responsible for the catalytic projects of the Senegal 2050 Agenda.
The objective of these meetings is to initiate the rapid and coordinated implementation of these projects by identifying synergies to be developed between the relevant ministerial departments and the necessary organizational framework, particularly at the level of existing or newly established ministerial Delivery Units, with support from the Operational Coordination and Monitoring Office (BOCS). He urged each Minister to ensure adherence to the requirement of working in an intersectoral manner, adopting a problem-solving approach and accelerating the execution of programs and projects.
UNDER THE MINISTERS’ COMMUNICATIONS:
• The Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines presented an overview of Senegal’s gas network;
• The Minister of Industry and Commerce addressed the supply of essential goods to the market;
• The Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development discussed the National Housing Access and Urban Renewal Program;
• The Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock provided an update on the peanut marketing campaign.
UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES, the President of the Republic made the following decisions:
Within the Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime, and Port Infrastructure:
• Mr. El Hadji Mady FAYE, Fisheries and Aquaculture Engineer, payroll number 689 569/A, is appointed Director of Fisheries Processing Industries (DITP) at the Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime, and Port Infrastructure, replacing Mr. Abdoulaye DIOUF, who has been called to other duties;
• Mr. Abdoulaye DIOUF, Researcher-Teacher in Fishery Product Processing, payroll number 615 677/D, previously Director of Fisheries Processing Industries (DITP), is appointed Director of the National Maritime Training School (ENFM) at the Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime, and Port Infrastructure, a vacant position.
Within the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation:
• Mr. Alioune Badara KANDJI, Full Professor of English Literature, payroll number 603 329/A, is appointed Rector of Cheikh Anta DIOP University in Dakar, a vacant position.
Within the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs:
• Ms. Fatoumata Binetou Rassoul CORREA, Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor of exceptional class, payroll number 604 132/J, previously Ambassador of Senegal in Lisbon, is appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Senegal to His Excellency General Assimi GOÏTA, President of the Transition, Head of State of the Republic of Mali, replacing Mr. Moustapha NDOUR, who has been called to other duties;
• Mr. Mouhamadou SARR, Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor, payroll number 616 314/E, previously Technical Advisor at the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, is appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to His Excellency Brigadier General Abdourahamane TIANI, President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Head of State of the Republic of Niger, replacing Mr. Abdou Khadir AGNE.
Within the Ministry of National Education:
• Mr. Pape Aly BADJI, Teacher, is appointed President of the Supervisory Board of the National Agency for Early Childhood and Toddler Centers, replacing Mr. Boubacar CAMARA.
Within the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines:
• Ms. Fatou Mbow LY, Electrical Engineering Engineer, previously Principal Equipment Director at the National Electricity Company (SENELEC), is appointed Director General of Energy;
• Mr. Papa Samba BA, Petroleum Engineer, payroll number 740089/H, previously Director of Hydrocarbons, is appointed Director General of Control and Monitoring of Operations;
• Mr. Talla GUEYE, Petroleum Engineer, is appointed Director General of PETROSEN Exploration and Production, replacing Mr. Thierno Seydou LY, who has been called to other duties;
• Mr. Lamine DIOUF, Geological Engineer, payroll number 674 982, previously Director of Control and Monitoring of Mining Operations at the Directorate General of Mines, is appointed Director of Control and Monitoring of Mining Operations at the Directorate General of Control and Monitoring of Operations;
• Mr. Ibrahima NOBA, Petroleum Engineer, previously Technical Advisor to the Director General of PETROSEN Exploration and Production, is appointed Director of Exploration and Production at the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons;
• Mr. Babacar CISSE, Lawyer and Downstream Petroleum Expert, previously Director of Hydrocarbons at the Energy Sector Regulatory Commission, is appointed Director of Supply, Processing, and Distribution at the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons;
• Ms. Yaye Catherine DIOP, Energy Engineer, previously Head of the Energy Transition Unit, is appointed Director of Energy Transition at the Directorate General of Energy;
• Ms. Aminata Seck NDAO, Lawyer, payroll number 740 807/K, previously Director of Regulation, Mining Production, and Statistics, is appointed Director of Strategy and Regulation;
• Ms. Fatou Thiam SOW, Statistical Engineer, payroll number 617 898/E, previously Director of Planning, Studies, and Energy Information System, is appointed Director of Planning, Studies, and Monitoring-Evaluation;
• Mr. Fodé NDAO, Legal Expert, previously Head of the Legal Affairs Unit, is appointed Head of the Execution and Management Unit of the Strategic Orientation Committee for Petroleum and Gas, known as “GES-PETROGAZ,” replacing Mr. Philippe Bacoumba FAYE, who has been called to other duties;
• Mr. Saliou SAMB, Geologist, payroll number 670 434, previously Director of Geology, is appointed Director of Geology at the Directorate General of Mines and Geology;
• Ms. Yandé FAYE, Geologist, payroll number 725 874/E, previously Head of the Mining Titles Division at the Directorate of Mines, is appointed Director of Mines and Quarries at the Directorate General of Mines and Geology;
• Ms. Mbène Niang MBAYE, Geological Engineer, payroll number 700037/C, previously Head of the Programs and Documentation Division at the Directorate of Quarries, is appointed Director of the Mining Cadastre at the Directorate General of Mines and Geology;
• Ms. Salimata BA, Geological Engineer, payroll number 700 906/H, previously an officer at the Thiès Regional Mines and Geology Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Dakar;
• Mr. Abdoulaye DIOP, Geological Engineer, payroll number 670661/B, previously Head of the Thiès Regional Mines and Geology Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Thiès;
• Mr. Pascal Mangue FAYE, Geologist, payroll number 752 006/B, previously an officer at the Directorate of Quarries, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Kolda;
• Mr. Alioune SALL, Geologist, payroll number 724419/C, previously Head of the Division and Program Monitoring at the Directorate of Small-Scale and Artisanal Mining, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Louga;
• Mr. Abdoul Diéry DIALLO, Geological Engineer, payroll number 700 067/F, previously Head of the Matam Regional Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Tambacounda;
• Mr. Amath BODIAN, Geologist, Geophysicist, and Data Analyst, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Diourbel;
• Mr. Daniel Ngor NGOM, Geological Engineer, payroll number 726 647/B, previously Head of the Kolda Regional Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Ziguinchor;
• Mr. Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane FALL, Geologist, payroll number 664 022/D, previously an officer responsible for monitoring geo-site projects at the Directorate of Geology, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Kaffrine;
• Mr. El Hadji Omar DIOUF, Geographer-Environmentalist, payroll number 760856/H, previously an officer at the Directorate of Quarries, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Sédhiou;
• Mr. Ousmane BALDE, Geologist, payroll number 700 022/G, previously Head of the Tambacounda Regional Mines and Geology Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Kaolack;
• Mr. El Hadji Amadou Makhtar DIAGNE, Geological Engineer, payroll number 724 421/F, previously Head of a Division at the Directorate of Geology, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Kédougou;
• Mr. Ibrahima BA, Geologist, payroll number 700 004/C, previously Head of the Kédougou Regional Mines and Geology Service, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Matam;
• Mr. Oumar YALLY, Geologist, payroll number 724 421/F, previously an officer at the Directorate of Control and Monitoring of Mining Operations, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Saint-Louis;
• Mr. Gane THIAO, Geologist, previously Head of a Division at the Directorate of Geology, is appointed Regional Director of Energy and Mines for Fatick.
Within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce:
• Ms. Aminata KANE, Economic Investigations Commissioner, payroll number 653 030/G, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce;
• Mr. Arona BA, Senior Economist, payroll number 638 007/D, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock:
• Mr. Cheikh Tidiane LY, Economist, payroll number 709 190/X, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock;
• Mr. Oumar Tidiane Télémaque SOW, Human Resources Manager, payroll number 672 862/C, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock;
• Mr. Abdourahmane BALDE, Holder of an MBA in Administration and Management, payroll number 646 163/J, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock;
• Mr. Bounama GUEYE, Lawyer specializing in Business Litigation, payroll number 726 202/G, is appointed Technical Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock.
Minister of Vocational and Technical Training, Government Spokesperson Amadou Moustapha Njekk SARRE