President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has delivered a series of firm mandates to the government, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, during the Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This crucial moment in African politics highlights the administration’s commitment to robust governance across Senegal, as the head of state laid out a clear roadmap demanding tangible results across key sectors, including national dialogue, public performance evaluation, civil registry modernization, and ensuring equitable water access for all citizens.

Kicking off his address, President Faye revisited the previously planned National Dialogue Day on May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he announced a pivot from large public consultations to individual audiences with prominent national figures. “Starting tomorrow, I will be meeting with former prime ministers and ex-ministers, particularly those who previously held portfolios in finance and internal security,” President Faye stated, adding that consultations with other national personalities and representatives from various societal sectors would follow. This strategic shift aims to solidify consensus around Senegal’s national priorities and broaden participation in discussions concerning the nation’s economic, social, security, and political landscape.

The President strongly emphasized the need for rigorous oversight of governmental actions, a directive directly impacting Prime Minister Sonko and his cabinet. “The optimal execution of our National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic assessment of public policies and close monitoring of government’s endeavors,” he declared. To facilitate this, he announced a significant reform in the Council of Ministers’ operations. “Council meetings will now convene every other week for a specific period, fostering a stronger culture of evaluating the impact of government initiatives,” the head of state affirmed. President Diomaye Faye thus issued a clear instruction to the executive branch: cultivate a robust culture of accountability and performance.

He further demanded, “Each government member must undertake the evaluation of general directors and directors of entities under their purview, supervision, or control.” This mandate for performance monitoring extends to regional and diplomatic administrations. The President instructed the Minister of Interior to assess administrative district chiefs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to track the performance of diplomatic and consular mission heads. For local governance, he tasked the relevant ministry with collaborating with stakeholders to develop “a pertinent mechanism for evaluating mayors and departmental council presidents.” On the fiscal and administrative front, the head of state commended the completion of Diamniadio’s third ministerial complex, hailing it as a strategic tool for rationalizing public expenditure and enhancing efficiency in governance Africa.

President Faye also urged the acceleration of several critical strategic files. “It is imperative to finalize the validation phase of the multi-year budget and economic programming document for 2026-2028, optimize the timeline for public procurement, and meticulously prepare for budget conferences,” he directed.

The state of the civil registry system emerged as a pressing concern during the Council of Ministers. Addressing identified deficiencies, President Diomaye Faye set a precise timeline. “An Emergency Plan for Strengthening Civil Registry Management must be presented before the end of June 2026,” he instructed the minister responsible for Local Authorities. The President underscored the necessity of profound reform. “It is crucial to expedite the complete digitalization of the civil registry, ensure the reliability of documents, and guarantee the adequate and secure preservation of registers and archives,” he stressed. In line with this, national consultations are mandated before the end of August 2026 to enhance governance within this vital sector of society Africa.

Access to potable water also garnered the President’s attention. Observing persistent challenges in several areas, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he called for immediate action. “All urgent measures must be implemented to significantly improve the population’s access to water,” he urged the Minister of Hydraulics, in coordination with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU, highlighting the government’s focus on essential public services.

Just weeks before the 2026 World Cup, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye concluded by offering a message of support to Senegal’s national football team, the Lions. “On behalf of the Nation, I extend a message of mobilization, encouragement, and support to the Lions,” he declared, simultaneously instructing the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to take “all appropriate complementary steps” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the World Cup. These comprehensive directives underscore the government’s dedication to enhancing society Africa, ensuring essential services and transparent administration for all citizens.