Senegal’s new cabinet excludes PASTEF amid political realignment

The Senegalese Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Amine Mohamed Lô, unveiled Monday evening the composition of a 30-member cabinet, notable for the exclusion of representatives from the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party, despite its majority status in the National Assembly.

This cabinet reshuffle follows a period of significant political restructuring in the country, with the integration of several technocratic and political figures into the new executive team. Just hours before the official announcement, former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko stated that his party would not participate in the new government, reaffirming the PASTEF-Les Patriotes’ stance on national political engagement.

The Prime Minister outlined the strategic roadmap for the new team, describing it as a “mission-driven and results-oriented government”. This approach combines both political and technocratic expertise while prioritizing youth and women’s representation. He emphasized a shift toward institutional coherence and the mobilization of national competencies, including contributions from the diaspora.

The new cabinet retains several key ministers from the previous administration, including:

• Cheikh Diba (Economy)
• Cheikh Niane (Foreign Affairs)
• Cheikh Tidiane Dièye (Water and Sanitation)
• Moustapha Guirassy (National Education)
• Ibrahima Sy (Health)
• Moussa Bala Fofana (Urban Planning)
• Yankhoba Diémé (Armed Forces)
• Déthié Fall (Infrastructure)
• Bakary Sarr (Communication)

This restructuring comes after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô as Prime Minister on May 26, succeeding Ousmane Sonko, who was elected President of the Senegalese National Assembly.