Press releases - 2026 July 22
The President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, this morning received the 2025 Annual Report of the Institution from the Mediator of the Republic, Demba Kandji.
The Head of State immediately underscored the significance of such an occasion, which goes far beyond the mere observance of the legal provisions establishing the Institution. It reflects, more than any speech could, the degree to which the rule of law and democracy have been consolidated in our country, and reaffirms our commitment to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, among which institutional mediation holds a prominent place. This conviction is rooted in Africa's long-standing traditions of resolving conflicts through deliberation and dialogue.
The President particularly commended the Mediator's consistent and substantive use of his power to propose reforms. Twenty-six recommendations were put forward over the past year. Two of them concern the very architecture of our democracy: redefining the powers and responsibilities of the Constitutional Council and opening up to citizens a legal avenue for challenging the constitutionality of laws. Other recommendations address the improvement of detention conditions, including the elimination of intrusive search procedures and the reduction of prison overcrowding proposals that the Head of State said were aligned with the Government's recent policy choices.
Regarding children with special needs, the Mediator expressed, on behalf of the families concerned, his profound gratitude to the President of the Republic for what he described as decisive involvement. Parents who were once left helpless had considered seeking therapeutic or educational care abroad. The State's efforts to strengthen access to quality healthcare and appropriate educational support now offer them another option: receiving the necessary care and support at home, in Senegal. The Mediator also welcomed the momentum driving the transformation of our public administration, which, notably through digitalization, is evolving from an administration based on command and control into one that is constantly at the service of citizens.
The Head of State also encouraged the Institution to further strengthen its international presence, already reinforced through agreements concluded with its counterparts in Morocco, Cabo Verde, the Canary Islands and Angola. Dakar will host, from October 21 to 23, 2026, an international conference dedicated to the protection of whistleblowers, with Senegal having been a pioneer in Francophone Africa in adopting dedicated legislation in this area. The President instructed the Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs to support the successful organization of this event and invited the Mediator to ensure that Senegal's voice is strongly represented in these international forums.
Regarding the advocacy for transforming the Institution into an Ombudsman for Rights with broader powers, the Head of State considered that this issue, which touches upon the very architecture of our rule of law, deserves thorough consideration. He announced that he would instruct the Government to give the matter the full attention it deserves.
"Beyond the legal texts, it is the citizen's trust in the State that your mission helps to strengthen every day," the Head of State told the Mediator of the Republic.
