During a Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye issued a series of decisive directives to the government, spearheaded by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The Head of State outlined a comprehensive roadmap, placing the executive branch under strict obligations for tangible results across key areas including national dialogue, public performance oversight, civil registration management, and universal access to water.

Commencing his address, President Faye revisited the National Dialogue Day, originally slated for May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he opted to pivot from large-scale public consultations to individual audiences with prominent national figures.

“Starting tomorrow, I will receive former Prime Ministers and past ministers, particularly those who previously oversaw finance and internal security portfolios,” stated the President. He further elaborated that other national personalities and representatives from various segments of society would be consulted subsequently. Through this refined approach, Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to solidify consensus around Senegal’s national priorities and to broaden participation in discussions concerning the nation’s economic, social, security, and political landscape.

The President additionally placed significant emphasis on the diligent monitoring of governmental actions, a directive directly impacting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his cabinet. He declared, “The optimal execution of our National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic evaluation of public policies and close supervision of governmental operations.”

In line with this objective, President Faye announced an overhaul of how the Council of Ministers functions. “For a specific period, the Council of Ministers will convene every other week to cultivate a stronger culture of evaluating the impact of government initiatives,” affirmed the Head of State. Bassirou Diomaye Faye thus delivered a clear mandate to the executive: establish a robust framework of accountability and performance.

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

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

He also urged the swift advancement of several critical strategic projects. “It is imperative to finalize the validation phase of the 2026-2028 Multi-Year Budgetary and Economic Programming Document, optimize the timeline for public procurement processes, and meticulously prepare for upcoming budgetary conferences,” he demanded.

The imperative of civil registration emerged as a pressing concern during this Council of Ministers meeting. Addressing identified deficiencies within the current system, Bassirou Diomaye Faye established a precise timeline. He mandated the minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities to present “an Emergency Plan for Strengthening Civil Registration Management before the end of June 2026.”

The President underscored the necessity for comprehensive reform. “It is paramount to accelerate the full digitalization of civil registration, ensure the integrity of documents, and guarantee the appropriate and secure preservation of registers and archives,” he stressed. Following this principle, national consultations are scheduled to take place 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 regions, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he called for immediate interventions. “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 conveying a message of unwavering support to Senegal’s national football team, the Lions. “On behalf of the Nation, I extend a message of mobilization, encouragement, and support to the Lions,” he declared, while also directing the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to implement “all necessary supplementary arrangements” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the World Cup.