The Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic.

UNDER THE HEADING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC'S COMMUNICATION

The Head of State made a statement covering the following points:

Modernizing the Justice System

In his opening remarks, the President of the Republic addressed the formal opening of the courts and tribunals, which he presided over on January 22, 2026, under the theme: "The Judge Facing the Challenges of the Digital Age." Expressing his satisfaction with the smooth running of the event, he congratulated the Minister of Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General at the Supreme Court, the President of the Bar Association, and all those involved in the justice system.

The Head of State reiterates his commitment to consolidating the rule of law, accelerating the modernization of the public justice system, and improving the accessibility and efficiency of judicial institutions. He instructs the Minister of Justice to ensure the quality of training for judges and court staff, to strengthen the human capital serving in the courts and tribunals, and to implement the digital transformation of the public justice system.

The President of the Republic indicates to the Government the need to promote a local, quality and accessible justice system.

Strengthening social dialogue and monitoring the National Social Stability Pact

Considering social dialogue as a requirement in the implementation of sectoral public policies, the Head of State asks the Minister of Public Service and Labour to present, before the end of February 2026, the general report on the evaluation of commitments under the National Pact for Social Stability for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, signed on May 1, 2025.

Emphasizing the need to hold an evaluation and follow-up meeting with social partners to address grievances, the President of the Republic has instructed ministers to establish sectoral and/or specialized Social Dialogue Committees to build the consensus necessary for the effective implementation of reforms and public policies. He has also directed the Minister of Public Service and Labor to propose a new governance framework for grievances and the right to strike for public sector employees and unions.

Stressing the urgent need to ensure the strengthening of social protection for workers and the sustained preservation of jobs, the President of the Republic asks the Prime Minister to accelerate the process of modernizing the institutions and the national pension and social security system, by working towards the adoption of the relevant legislative and regulatory texts, before the end of April 2026.

Renewal of the Fisheries sector and development of the Maritime economy

The President of the Republic notes that the restructuring and revitalization of the sector are priorities for the Government. To this end, he appreciates the efforts made by the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy to regulate the exploitation of fisheries resources, revitalize artisanal fishing, reposition aquaculture, and increase the level of investment and partnerships.

The Head of State requests that the necessary consultations continue, with the involvement of all public, private and stakeholder actors, for the upcoming validation of Senegal's Maritime Policy, the National Port Strategy and the Map of infrastructure for landing, preserving, processing and marketing fishery products.

Finally, he emphasizes the need to revise the Fisheries Code in order to establish sustainable management and sovereign governance of fisheries resources.

Progress report on the "Independence Program" in the regional capitals

Following his decision to launch a new urban and regional modernization program, called the "Independence Program," to be implemented starting in 2026, the Head of State reiterates his commitment to relocating the National Day celebrations on April 4th to a regional capital, ensuring optimal conditions for hosting and organizing the event in terms of available infrastructure and essential amenities. He requests that the Government review the priority choices made, the three-year implementation schedule, and the overall progress of the "Independence" priority program within the National Transformation Agenda, Senegal 2050. Finally, he announces his decision to relocate the National Day celebrations on April 4th, 2026, to Thiès.

Agenda of the President of the Republic

The Head of State informed the Council that he had presided over the opening ceremony of the High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Water Conference on January 26, 2026. On January 27, 2026, he inaugurated the edible oil refinery built by MAVAMAR Industries SA and laid the foundation stone for the Bargny-Sendou Industrial Zone. In this regard, he congratulated the developers, namely the SENEGINDIA Group, for this major investment, which contributes to the industrial, economic, and social development of Senegal. The President of the Republic also announced that he will travel to the Republic of Congo on February 2 and 3, 2026, for an official visit. Furthermore, he will tour the regions of Tambacounda and Kédougou from February 5 to 9, 2026.

UNDER THE HEADING OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE MINISTERS

The Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs made a statement on the generalization of the electronic mail management tool in the administration.

The Minister of Youth and Sports presented a communication on the Technology and Energy Programme of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026.

UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS

The Council examined and adopted the draft decree establishing the rules for the organization and operation of the Universal Telecommunications Service Development Fund (FDSUT).

UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES

The President of the Republic has taken the following decisions:

On behalf of the Presidency of the Republic

• Mr. Djim DRAME, Senior Research Fellow at IFAN, formerly Director of Religious Affairs and Integration of Graduates in Arabic Language, is appointed General Delegate for Religious Affairs (DEGAR);

Under the authority of the Ministry of Finance and Budget:

• Mr. Ousman KASSE, Inspector of Taxes and Domains of exceptional class, payroll number 509 499/J, is appointed Inspector of Finances at the Ministry of Finance and Budget;

• Ms. Mame Diama DIOUF, Principal Treasury Inspector, payroll number 604 440/J, is appointed Inspector of Finance at the Ministry of Finance and Budget; Under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation:

• Mr. Elhadji Babacar LY, Teacher-Researcher, is appointed Director of Innovation, Valorization, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, replacing Mr. Salif GAYE, who has been granted his retirement pension rights;

• Mr. Babacar DIOUF, Civil Engineer, is appointed Director of Maintenance and Equipment for Higher Education, replacing Mr. Alioune SENE;

• Mr. Ibrahima CISSE, Civil Administrator, payroll number 624 569/Z, is appointed Secretary General of the Amadou Mahtar Mbow University (UAM), replacing Mr. Mbaye DIONE, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Seydina Ababacar MBENGUE, Civil Administrator, payroll number 624 578/B, formerly Secretary General of the Alioune Diop University, is appointed Secretary General of the Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), replacing Mr. Elimane BA, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Elimane BA, Civil Administrator, payroll number 616 304/D, formerly Secretary General of Cheikh Anta Diop University, is appointed Secretary General of the University of Sine Saloum El Hadj Ibrahima Niass (USSEIN), replacing Mrs. Awa Ndiaye DIOP, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Ousmane DIALLO, Civil Administrator, payroll number 517 911/B, formerly Secretary General of Iba Der Thiam University, is appointed Secretary General of Gaston Berger University (UGB), replacing Mr. Mor FALL, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Mor FALL, Civil Administrator, payroll number 517 753/F, formerly Secretary General of Gaston Berger University, is appointed Secretary General of Iba Der Thiam University (UIDT), replacing Mr. Ousmane DIALLO, who has been called to other duties;

• Mrs. Awa Ndiaye DIOP, Civil Administrator, payroll number 661 347/E, formerly Secretary General of the University of Sine Saloum El Hâdj Ibrahima Niass, is appointed Secretary General of the Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University (UN-CHK), replacing Mr. Hammadou BALDE, who has been called to other duties;

• Mr. Hammadou BALDE, Labour and Social Security Inspector, payroll number 608 882/L, formerly Secretary General of the Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University, is appointed Secretary General of the Alioune DIOP University (UAD), replacing Mr. Seydina Ababacar MBENGUE, who has been called to other duties;

On behalf of the Ministry of National Education

• Mr. Bassirou Hamedine SY, Expert in Public Finance Management, is appointed Secretary General of the National Agency for Early Childhood and the Case des Tout-petits (ANPECTP), replacing Mr. El Hadji H. KANDJI.

On behalf of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training:

• Mr. Thiéfatim NAEL, holder of a Master's degree in Organizational Management, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Senegal-Japan Vocational and Technical Training Center (CFPT S/J), a vacant position;

• Mr. Cheikh Ahmadou Abdul GUEYE, Counseling Psychologist, payroll number 649 864/E, is appointed Director of Employment at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, replacing Mrs. Djireye Clotilde COLY;

• Mr. Ababacar Sadikh BEYE, Secondary School Teacher in Economic Techniques, payroll number 659 466/F, is appointed Director of Public Vocational and Technical Training Establishments at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, a vacant position;

• Mr. Aliou BA, Specialty Inspector in Refrigeration-Air Conditioning, payroll number 684 224/B, is appointed Director of Private Establishments for Vocational and Technical Training at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, a vacant position;

Under the authority of the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Regional Development

• Mr. Babacar Wagane FAYE , Engineer-Statistician, formerly Secretary General of the National Agency for the Promotion and Employment of Youth (ANPEJ) is appointed Secretary General of the National Civil Status Agency (ANEC), replacing Mrs. Aissatou Liwane DOGUE;

Marie Rose Khady Fatou FAYE,

Secretary of State to the Prime Minister,

Head of Institutional Relations,

Government Spokesperson