Speech by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Graduation Ceremony for the 2024–2026 Class of Magistrates of the Judicial Training Centre (CFJ).

Here is the full text of the speech in English:

Palace of the Republic, 30 June 2026 – Only the spoken word shall prevail

• Mr. Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals;

• Madam President of the Constitutional Council;

• Mr. First President of the Supreme Court;

• Mr. Prosecutor General at the said Court;

• Messrs. First Presidents of the Courts of Appeal;

• Messrs. Prosecutors General at the said Courts;

• Mr. Director General of the Judicial Training Centre;

• Madam Sponsor of the 2024-2026 Promotion;

• Distinguished Guests in your respective ranks and capacities;

• Dear Recipients;

• Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear magistrates of the 2024-2026 promotion, this solemn ceremony marks the crossing of a decisive threshold. At the end of a demanding training, you are about to take on one of the noblest yet most formidable responsibilities that the Republic entrusts to its servants: that of saying the law and rendering justice in the name of the Senegalese people.

The theme chosen for this ceremony, “The Independence of the Judiciary, Foundation of the Rule of Law”, is not the result of chance. It reflects a deep conviction, an unwavering commitment, and a clear vision that we collectively uphold for Senegal. By choosing this theme, you have wished to indicate that your training was not limited to the development of technical skills, but was forged in the fire of ethics and a high ideal of the public service of justice.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The independence of the judiciary is not a privilege granted to magistrates. It is, above all, a fundamental guarantee given to citizens. It is the shield of the weak against the strong, of the ordinary citizen against public authority, of the accused against the prosecution. In short, it is the promise that no one, no matter how highly placed, is above the Law, and that no one, no matter how humble, is outside its protection.

Indeed, our Constitution, in Article 88, enshrines the independence of the judicial power. This provision reflects a firm political will to make justice a sovereign institution, impervious to any form of pressure political, economic, or social.

As for the Rule of Law, in its most accomplished conception, it rests on the effectiveness of judicial review of acts of power. This requirement was formulated by legal thinkers long before us. As early as the 18th century, the jurist Henry de Bracton stated the founding maxim of any Rule of Law: “The king must not be subject to any man, but to God and to the Law, for it is the Law that makes the king.” Seven centuries later, these words remain the beating heart of our Republic: no power is legitimate except under the Law, and it is the judge’s role to be its vigilant guardian. Where judges are independent, fundamental rights are effectively guaranteed. Where justice bends to the will of the powerful, democracy loses its substance and the Rule of Law becomes nothing more than a betrayed promise. This is why I reaffirm, with the utmost solemnity, that the independence of the judiciary is an intangible pillar of the Republic we are building together.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since my accession to the supreme magistracy, the consolidation of the Rule of Law and the strengthening of judicial independence have been among the priorities of public action. This ambition has been reflected in the organisation of the National Dialogue on Justice, an inclusive framework for reflection that enabled the various actors in the sector to identify the major challenges facing our judicial system and to formulate relevant recommendations for its modernisation.

The lessons drawn from these consultations inspired the development of a new Sectoral Policy Letter for Justice, structured around essential objectives: improving access to justice, strengthening the effectiveness of the public justice service, modernising the courts, and consolidating the guarantees of judicial independence.

Conscious that the modernisation of judicial procedures is essential to reduce delays, improve transparency, and bring justice closer to citizens, we have undertaken a vast digitalisation project for a more modern, accessible, and humane justice system.

Digital technology is not an end in itself. It is the instrument of a justice system that is finally within reach of those it serves. Significant efforts have also been made to improve the working conditions of magistrates and judicial staff. Investments have been made, particularly in digital infrastructure, to provide our courts with more effective working conditions.

In this regard, the e-justice and e-service platforms, which facilitate users’ access to judicial acts, are now operational. In the same spirit, the Single State Window helps harmonise the user’s journey within an overall digital public service. This modernisation also concerns specific services such as the digitalisation of the criminal record, the digital management of prisons and correctional facilities, and the project for the digitalisation of juvenile justice.

It is in this dynamic that I urge the Minister of Justice to continue the work of modernising our judicial system and the reforms aimed at bringing justice closer to our fellow citizens.

Assuring you of my full confidence, I wish to remind you of the responsibility that is now yours. In this regard, your mission will be to ensure that the independence of justice is fully guaranteed, access to justice is facilitated for citizens, and the working conditions of the entire judicial family are constantly improved.

I know I can count on your commitment to carry out this vision of a high-performing, transparent justice system worthy of the people’s trust.

To the judicial family

I wish to express the Nation’s deepest gratitude to you. If our justice system stands tall, if it remains this solid pillar of our democracy, it is thanks to your daily dedication, often exercised in demanding conditions, far from the spotlight and the recognition it deserves.

To the heads of Courts and Tribunals, and to the seasoned magistrates who are welcoming these young colleagues today, I invite you to be their guides and mentors. Pass on to them not only legal technique, but also the wisdom, restraint, and life jurisprudence that are acquired through experience in the courtroom.

To the court clerks, lawyers, bailiffs, and all judicial auxiliaries, your synergy with these new magistrates is indispensable. For justice is a collective endeavour, in which each person, while respecting the respective roles of others, contributes to the common guardianship of the Rule of Law.

It is this shared commitment that, in an African context too often marked by institutional instability, has enabled Senegal to distinguish itself through the strength of its judicial institutions, the continuity of their functioning, and the ability of its magistrates to maintain the course of independence even when pressures were at their strongest.

This collective commitment deserves to be celebrated, amplified, and passed on to the rising generations. This is precisely the purpose of this ceremony: to pass the torch to new servants of justice, bearers of the values and virtues that have made the institution great.

Mr. Director of the Judicial Training Centre (CFJ),

I wish to salute the excellent work accomplished. The Judicial Training Centre (CFJ) is a crucible in which not only judicial knowledge and know-how are transmitted, but also the values of ethics, impartiality, and dedication to the service of justice.

It is, ultimately, the primary instrument of our ambition: to have a high-quality magistracy, trained in the best international practices, sensitised to human rights, and deeply rooted in the sociological and cultural realities of our society.

This is why I strongly urge the Director General to maintain and intensify his efforts in favour of excellence in training. The contemporary challenges of justice particularly the digitization of procedures, the diversification and complexity of cases—require ongoing, innovative training that remains permanently aligned with the evolution of law and society. The State will support you in this vital mission for the Nation.

Madam Sponsor,

At this special moment, I wish to pay you a heartfelt and sincere tribute. Your presence among us today as Sponsor of the 2024-2026 Promotion is not accidental. It is the result of well-deserved recognition and the eloquent sign of the esteem and respect that an entire life devoted to justice and the Rule of Law has rightfully earned you.

Madam Dior Fall Sow, through your brilliant career as Mr. Director General of the CFJ has just recalled you embody what is best in the Senegalese judiciary: competence combined with integrity, firmness of conviction tempered by the humanity of judgment, intellectual courage coupled with the humility of a servant of the Law.

This commitment has known no borders. Across the African continent, you have upheld the values of an independent judiciary and the Rule of Law. You have been a remarkable ambassador for the Senegalese magistracy and its values on the continental and international stage.

Your commitment to women’s rights in the judicial system and to a justice system accessible to all, regardless of gender, origin, or social condition, deserves particular recognition.

You have opened paths, demonstrated that judicial excellence has no gender, and that women fully belong in the highest positions of the judiciary. Through this ceremony, the entire Nation expresses its gratitude to you.

Dear magistrates of the 2024-2026 Promotion,

You are about to don the robe and take your seats in the courtrooms. You will translate the abstract principles of law into lived reality. You will decide the fate of men and women, their property, their freedom, and sometimes their honour. This responsibility is immense, and you must fully measure its weight.

From now on, you are the guarantors of an independent justice system, the fundamental foundation of the Rule of Law. Consequently, you owe obedience only to two masters: the Law and your conscience.

It is in this spirit that I urge you, first and foremost, to always keep the flame of your vocation alive. Never let routine extinguish it.

Secondly, I invite you to take as models your Sponsor, Madam Dior Fall Sow, and the senior magistrates who have honoured the robe through their competence, probity, and courage. On paths often strewn with obstacles, your elders have handed down courageous decisions.

For the independence of the judge is a right for the litigant, but even more so, it is a duty for the magistrate a sacred calling. You will have to resist all forms of pressure and remember that fear has never produced a single just judgment.

Finally, I invite you to continuously strengthen your training. The law evolves, society changes, and new types of cases emerge.

Continuing education is not a luxury; it is a professional requirement. The Judicial Training Centre (CFJ) will always be at your disposal. I encourage you to make use of its resources and to participate in its activities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we celebrate today the fruit of so many years of hard work, in-depth study, and excellent training, I wish to conclude by extending my warmest congratulations to each and every one of you, to your trainers, and to your respective families, whose sacrifices, patience, and unwavering support have made this journey possible.

May you honour the judiciary and the Nation with a fine and long career.

May rigour, courage, and equity guide every step you take.

Thank you for your attention.