The Council of Ministers met on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic.
UNDER THE COMMUNICATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The Head of State delivered a communication covering the following points:
Modernisation of the Justice System
In introducing his address, the President of the Republic referred to the solemn opening of the judicial year of the courts and tribunals, which he presided over on 22 January 2026, under the theme: “The Judge in the Face of Digital Challenges.”
Expressing his satisfaction with the smooth conduct of this event, he commended the Minister of Justice, the First President of the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General at the Supreme Court, the President of the Bar Association, as well as all stakeholders in the justice sector.
The Head of State reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the rule of law, accelerating the modernisation of the public justice service, and improving the accessibility and efficiency of judicial institutions. He instructed the Minister of Justice to ensure the quality of training for magistrates and judicial officers, the strengthening of human capital within courts and tribunals, and the digital transformation of the public justice service.
The President of the Republic stressed to the Government the need to promote a system of justice that is local, high-quality, and accessible to all.
Strengthening Social Dialogue and Monitoring the National Social Stability Pact
Considering social dialogue as an essential requirement for the implementation of sectoral public policies, the Head of State requested the Minister of Public Service and Labour to submit, before the end of February 2026, the general evaluation report on commitments under the National Social Stability Pact for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, signed on 1 May 2025.
Emphasising the imperative of holding, with social partners, an evaluation and follow-up meeting on the handling of grievances, the President of the Republic instructed ministers to establish sectoral and/or specialised Social Dialogue Committees, in order to build the necessary consensus for the effective implementation of reforms and public policies. He further directed the Minister of Public Service and Labour to propose a new governance framework for grievances and the right to strike for public sector employees and unions.
Stressing the urgency of strengthening workers’ social protection and ensuring sustained job preservation, the President of the Republic instructed the Prime Minister to accelerate the process of modernising institutions and the national pension and social security system, including the adoption of the relevant legislative and regulatory texts before the end of April 2026.
Renewal of the Fisheries Sector and Development of the Maritime Economy
The President of the Republic noted that restructuring and revitalising the sector are among the Government’s priorities. In this regard, he welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Minister of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy to regulate the exploitation of fishery resources, revive artisanal fishing, reposition aquaculture, and increase investment levels and partnerships.
The Head of State requested the continuation of consultations, involving all public and private stakeholders, with a view to the forthcoming validation of Senegal’s Maritime Policy, the National Port Strategy, and the Infrastructure Map for landing, conservation, processing, and marketing of fishery products.
He further underscored the need to revise the Fisheries Code in order to establish sustainable management and sovereign governance of fishery resources.
Progress Status of the “Independence Programme” in Regional Capitals
Pursuant to his decision to launch a new programme for the modernisation of cities and territories, known as the “Independence Programme,” to be implemented from 2026 onward, the Head of State reiterated his intention to decentralise the celebration of National Day on 4 April to a regional capital, under optimal conditions in terms of infrastructure availability and essential amenities.
He requested the Government to report on priority choices, the programming of projects over a three-year period, and the overall progress of the priority “Independence” programme under the National Transformation Agenda, Senegal 2050.
He finally announced his decision to hold the celebration of National Day on 4 April 2026 in the city of Thiès.
Agenda of the President of the Republic
The Head of State informed the Council that he presided over the opening ceremony of the High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Water Conference on 26 January 2026. On 27 January 2026, he inaugurated the edible oil refinery developed by MAVAMAR Industries SA and laid the foundation stone for the Bargny–Sendou Industrial Zone.
In this regard, he congratulated the promoters, namely the SENEGINDIA Group, for the completion of this major investment, which contributes to Senegal’s industrial, economic, and social development.
The President of the Republic also announced that he will pay an official visit to the Republic of Congo on 2 and 3 February 2026. Furthermore, he will undertake a tour of the Tambacounda and Kédougou regions from 5 to 9 February 2026.
UNDER THE COMMUNICATIONS OF MINISTERS
The Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy presented a communication on the generalisation of the electronic mail management system within the public administration.
The Minister of Youth and Sports presented a communication on the Technology and Energy Programme for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS
The Council examined and adopted the draft decree setting out the rules governing the organisation and operation of the Telecommunications Universal Service Development Fund (FDSUT).
UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES
The President of the Republic took the following decisions:
At the Presidency of the Republic
Mr. Djim DRAME, Senior Research Fellow at IFAN, formerly Director of Religious Affairs and Integration of Arabic Language Graduates, is appointed Delegate General for Religious Affairs (DEGAR).
At the Ministry of Finance and the Budget
Mr. Ousmane KASSE, Exceptional Class Inspector of Taxes and State Property, payroll number 509 499/J, is appointed Inspector of Finance at the Ministry of Finance and the Budget;
Ms. Mame Diama DIOUF, Senior Treasury Inspector, payroll number 604 440/J, is appointed Inspector of Finance at the Ministry of Finance and the Budget.
At the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Mr. Elhadji Babacar LY, Lecturer-Researcher, is appointed Director of Innovation, Valorisation, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, replacing Mr. Salif GAYE, who has retired;
Mr. Babacar DIOUF, Civil Engineering Engineer, is appointed Director of Maintenance and Equipment for Higher Education, replacing Mr. Alioune SENE;
Mr. Ibrahima CISSE, Civil Administrator, payroll number 624 569/Z, is appointed Secretary General of Amadou Mahtar Mbow University (UAM), replacing Mr. Mbaye DIONE;
Mr. Seydina Ababacar MBENGUE, Civil Administrator, payroll number 624 578/B, formerly Secretary General of Alioune Diop University, is appointed Secretary General of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD);
Mr. Elimane BA, Civil Administrator, payroll number 616 304/D, formerly Secretary General of Cheikh Anta Diop University, is appointed Secretary General of Sine Saloum El Hadj Ibrahima Niass University (USSEIN);
Mr. Ousmane DIALLO, Civil Administrator, payroll number 517 911/B, formerly Secretary General of Iba Der Thiam University, is appointed Secretary General of Gaston Berger University (UGB);
Mr. Mor FALL, Civil Administrator, payroll number 517 753/F, formerly Secretary General of Gaston Berger University, is appointed Secretary General of Iba Der Thiam University (UIDT);
Ms. Awa Ndiaye DIOP, Civil Administrator, payroll number 661 347/E, formerly Secretary General of Sine Saloum El Hadj Ibrahima Niass University, is appointed Secretary General of Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University (UN-CHK);
Mr. Hammadou BALDE, Labour and Social Security Inspector, payroll number 608 882/L, formerly Secretary General of Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University, is appointed Secretary General of Alioune Diop University (UAD).
At the Ministry of National Education
Mr. Bassirou Hamedine SY, Expert in Public Finance Management, is appointed Secretary General of the National Agency for Early Childhood and Early Learning Centres (ANPECTP).
At the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training
Mr. Thiéfatim NAEL, holder of a Master’s degree in Organisation Management, is appointed Chairman of the Board of the Senegal–Japan Vocational and Technical Training Centre (CFPT S/J);
Mr. Cheikh Ahmadou Abdul GUEYE, Counselling Psychologist, payroll number 649 864/E, is appointed Director of Employment at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training;
Mr. Ababacar Sadikh BEYE, Secondary School Teacher in Economic Techniques, payroll number 659 466/F, is appointed Director of Public Vocational and Technical Training Institutions;
Mr. Aliou BA, Specialist Inspector in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, payroll number 684 224/B, is appointed Director of Private Vocational and Technical Training Institutions.
At the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Territorial Development
Mr. Babacar Wagane FAYE, Engineer-Statistician, formerly Secretary General of the National Agency for the Promotion and Employment of Youth (ANPEJ), is appointed Secretary General of the National Civil Registry Agency (ANEC).
Marie Rose Khady Fatou FAYE
Secretary of State to the Prime Minister,
in charge of Relations with Institutions,
Government Spokesperson