Senegal’s land reforms resume after Sonko’s exit from prime minister role
In a landmark announcement, the Government Secretariat released an official statement on Monday, July 6, 2026, outlining the resumption of critical land governance reforms. The update centered on the Committee for Monitoring and Implementing Recommendations tied to comprehensive audits of land allocations in Dakar, Thiès, and Saint-Louis. This development signals the end of a prolonged administrative freeze, paving the way for long-awaited land regularizations.
End of a freeze: suspended projects set to resume
The previous administration had imposed a blanket suspension on several high-profile land development projects. These measures, now lifted, included:
- Major land subdivisions: « BOA », « Hangar des Pèlerins », « Recasement 2 », « EGBOS », « EOGEN and EOGEN-extension », and « Mbour IV in Thiès »;
- Detailed Urban Planning Schemes (PUD): Zones in « Guédiawaye », « Yeumbeul-Malika-Tivaouane Peulh », and the « New City of Thiès »;
- Urban hubs: Areas including « Déni Biram Ndao-Diaksao-Bambilor » and « Daga Kholpa et Yenne »;
- Northern zone: The site of « Ndiebène Gandiole » (domanial land title no. 136/SL).
New directives: accelerating land rights resolutions
The government’s fresh mandate aims to expedite the resolution of land disputes while ensuring legal compliance. A key provision in the statement highlights the successful processing of mainlevées (legal releases) for numerous rightful property owners, allowing them to reclaim their allocated plots.
Following the Council of Ministers’ meeting on July 1, 2026, administrative teams are now tasked with finalizing pending legal documents in collaboration with relevant agencies. The focus remains squarely on:
- Legitimate landowners: Only individuals with valid, unblemished title deeds will benefit from the resumption of allocations. Cases involving multiple illegal acquisitions are explicitly excluded;
- Strict compliance: Unauthorized construction or land reclamation without prior approval is strictly prohibited and will incur penalties;
- Streamlined processes: Affected parties are urged to submit their mainlevée or regularization requests promptly via the Committee Secretariat (accessible through DGSCOS on VDN or the General Directorate of Urban Planning in Diamniadio).
