President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s firm directives to prime minister Ousmane Sonko

During a Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a series of decisive directives to the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The Head of State outlined a comprehensive roadmap, emphasizing accountability and tangible outcomes across key national priorities, including national dialogue, public performance monitoring, civil registration management, and ensuring access to water for the people of Senegal.

Kicking off his address, President Faye revisited the National Dialogue Day initially scheduled for May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he announced a strategic shift from large-scale public consultations to individual audiences with various influential figures from across the nation.

“Starting tomorrow, I will be meeting with former Prime Ministers and past ministers, particularly those who previously held portfolios in finance and internal security,” the President stated. He further clarified that other prominent national personalities and representatives of civil society would be consulted in subsequent phases. Through this approach, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to strengthen national consensus on critical priorities and engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders in deliberations concerning Senegal’s economic, social, security, and political landscape, a crucial aspect of African politics.

The President also underscored the paramount importance of monitoring government actions, a directive directly impacting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his cabinet. “The optimal implementation of the National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic evaluation of public policies and close oversight of governmental operations,” he declared, highlighting the need for continuous assessment.

In this vein, President Faye announced a significant reform in the operational structure of the Council of Ministers. “For a specific period, the Council of Ministers will convene every other week to foster a robust culture of evaluating the impact of government initiatives,” affirmed the Head of State. With this, Bassirou Diomaye Faye issued a clear mandate to the executive: establish a pervasive culture of accountability and performance.

“Each member of the Government must undertake the evaluation of Directors General and Directors of entities falling under their responsibility, oversight, or control,” he insisted. The President extended this rigorous performance monitoring to territorial administrations and diplomatic missions. He instructed the Minister of Interior to assess the performance of administrative district heads and directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to closely track the effectiveness of diplomatic and consular mission chiefs.

Regarding local governance, President Faye tasked the relevant ministry with collaborating with stakeholders to devise “an appropriate mechanism for evaluating mayors and presidents of departmental councils.” On the fiscal and administrative front, the Head of State commended the completion of the third ministerial sphere in Diamniadio, recognizing it as a pivotal tool for streamlining public expenditures.

He also called for the swift advancement of several strategic files. “It is imperative to initiate the final validation phase for the 2026-2028 multi-year budgetary and economic programming document, optimize the timeline for public procurement processes, and thoroughly prepare for budget conferences,” he urged, emphasizing efficient economic news management.

The critical issue of civil registration was among the urgent matters addressed during this Council of Ministers. Recognizing existing deficiencies within the current system, Bassirou Diomaye Faye set a precise timeline. “An Emergency Plan for Strengthening Civil Registration Management must be presented before the end of June 2026,” he mandated to the minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities.

The President stressed the necessity of a profound reform. “It is paramount to accelerate the comprehensive digitalization of civil registration, ensure the reliability of documents, and guarantee adequate and secure preservation of registers and archives,” he emphasized. Following this principle, national consultations are slated to be organized before the end of August 2026 to enhance governance within the sector.

Access to potable water also garnered the Head of State’s attention. Observing persistent challenges in several localities, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he demanded immediate actions. “All urgent measures must be implemented to significantly improve the population’s access to water,” he firmly instructed the Minister of Hydraulics, in coordination with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU.

With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, Bassirou Diomaye Faye concluded by delivering a message of unwavering support to the Lions of Senegal. “On behalf of the Nation, I extend a message of mobilization, encouragement, and support to the Lions,” he proclaimed, simultaneously urging the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to take “all appropriate supplementary measures” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the global tournament.