Senegal reshuffles air force leadership with Pape Cissé appointment

President Bassirou Diomaye has reshaped Senegal’s defense strategy by appointing Air Brigade General Pape Cissé as the new Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Air Force. This decisive move, effective May 1, 2026, signals a new era for the nation’s aerial defense capabilities.

General Pape Cissé officially assumes his new role as Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Air Force (CEMAIR), following a presidential decree issued on May 1, 2026. The announcement underscores a strategic shift in the country’s aerial defense framework.

Prior to this appointment, General Cissé served as Commander of the Presidential Squadron, a position that provided him with extensive experience in high-level aerial operations and strategic coordination.

He succeeds Brigadier General Elhadj Niang, who had led the Air Force since 2023. The transition reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing and strengthening Senegal’s defense infrastructure.