President Bassirou Diomaye Faye outlines strategic directives at presidential palace

During a pivotal ministerial session at the presidential palace, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a series of decisive instructions to the executive branch led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The meeting, held in Dakar on May 20, 2026, established new benchmarks for governance, performance evaluation, and national development priorities.

Transforming national dialogue into personalized consultations

The Head of State announced significant adjustments to the upcoming National Dialogue Day scheduled for May 28. Recognizing the nation’s religious sensitivities, he opted to replace large public gatherings with one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders. This strategic shift aims to foster deeper consensus on Senegal’s economic, social, and security challenges.

The president revealed his plans to meet with former heads of government and ministers, particularly those who previously managed finance and interior affairs portfolios. « Beginning tomorrow, I will receive former prime ministers and senior officials who oversaw critical sectors, » he stated. Additional consultations will follow with national figures and representatives of civil society organizations.

Strengthening government accountability and performance

Bassirou Diomaye Faye placed particular emphasis on systematic monitoring of public policy implementation. « The successful execution of the National Transformation Agenda demands regular evaluation of government initiatives and close supervision of ministerial work, » he asserted.

To institutionalize this approach, the president announced a restructured ministerial council schedule. « Moving forward, cabinet meetings will convene bi-weekly for a defined period to reinforce impact assessment culture within government operations, » he explained. This directive underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency and measurable outcomes.

Comprehensive evaluation framework for senior officials

The Chief Executive went further by requiring each government member to conduct performance reviews of directors-general and department heads under their authority. « Every minister must evaluate the leaders of their respective agencies, » he mandated. This performance-driven approach extends to territorial administrations, with the Interior Minister tasked with assessing regional officials, and the Foreign Affairs Minister monitoring diplomatic missions.

At the local governance level, the president instructed relevant authorities to develop an effective evaluation system for mayors and departmental council presidents. « We need robust mechanisms to measure local leadership effectiveness, » he emphasized.

Critical reforms in budgetary processes and infrastructure

The presidential palace session highlighted several urgent administrative priorities. The president commended the completion of Diamniadio’s third ministerial complex, noting its role in reducing public expenditure. He called for accelerated completion of the 2026-2028 Medium-Term Budgetary and Economic Programming Document, streamlined public procurement processes, and thorough preparation for upcoming budget conferences.

Urgent civil registry modernization initiative

Civil status management emerged as a top priority during the discussions. President Faye mandated the Territorial Administration Minister to present an Emergency Plan for Civil Registry Strengthening by June 30, 2026. « We must completely digitize civil status records, ensure document accuracy, and implement secure storage systems, » he declared.

The president also called for nationwide consultations before August 31, 2026 to enhance sector governance and improve service delivery.

Addressing water access challenges ahead of major events

Concerns about water accessibility in several regions prompted immediate action. President Faye directed the Hydraulics Minister to coordinate with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU to implement urgent measures in Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar. « We must significantly improve water access for our citizens, particularly in these communities facing persistent shortages, » he stressed.

Supporting the national football team ahead of global competition

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, President Faye extended his full support to Senegal’s national football team, the Lions. « On behalf of all Senegalese, I convey our mobilization, encouragement, and unwavering support to the Lions, » he announced. He urged the Sports Ministry and Senegalese Football Federation to make all necessary arrangements for the team’s successful participation in the tournament.