On Monday, November 10th, Camp Dial Diop was decked out in its finest attire to host Armed Forces Day. In the vast courtyard, the atmosphere was one of solemnity and national pride. Officers, soldiers, guests, and authorities gathered to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who ensure the country's security every day.

The 2025 edition was held under the theme "The Armed Forces, Partners of the Youth Olympic Games, Dakar-2026", a theme which fully involves the military institution at the heart of an unprecedented global sporting event for Africa which will be held from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the last to take his place in the official stand, opened the ceremony with a gesture of remembrance. Before the war memorial, he laid a wreath in tribute to the soldiers who fell on the field of honor. Then, in a moment of quiet reflection, accompanied by the Last Post played by the band, he bowed at the Memorial of Remembrance, where 631 soldiers who died for their country in operations are symbolically laid to rest. This moment of remembrance preceded the screening of a film on the day's theme, before the Commander-in-Chief presided over the naming of two new graduating classes: the 57th class of the Military Health School, named after Colonel Malick Bodian, and the 44th class of the National School for Active Duty Officers (ENOA), dedicated to the memory of Second Lieutenant Amadou Diallo.

Tribute, recognition and innovation in service of the army

After these moments of remembrance and sharing, the ceremony took on a celebratory tone. The President of the Republic decorated several soldiers wounded in action. Among them were Warrant Officer Pape Mamadou Faye of the Commando Battalion, Warrant Officer Adama Faye of the National School for Non-Commissioned Officers (ENOA), as well as Sergeant Babacar Thiam and a Private First Class, distinguished for their courage and loyalty.

The day was also marked by the presentation of the President of the Republic's Special Prize for Technological and Industrial Innovation in Military and Paramilitary Applications. For this inaugural edition, Aliou Diop, a graduate engineer from the École Polytechnique, was awarded the prize for an interception and combat support robot capable of carrying weapon modules—such as an M4 rifle, a light machine gun, or a grenade launcher—and being used in demining operations, particularly in the south of the country. The Ministry of the Armed Forces explained that "the system is distinguished by its potential for civilian adaptation, through the substitution of the combat module with spraying or urbanization modules." He received a check for 50 million CFA francs from Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Commander El Hadj Ndiaye, an electrical engineer, won second prize, 30 million CFA francs, for the design of an explosive ordnance disposal robot, 80% of which is made with locally sourced components. Third prize, 20 million CFA francs, was awarded to Mouhamadou Guèye, a drone designer, for a project involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that incorporates a national electronic wiring manufacturing capacity, and is expected to create 100 direct jobs and over 200 indirect jobs.

An opportunity to connect with these men and women who serve the country

Addressing the troops and guests, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a long and detailed speech. "It is always with pride and pleasure that I preside over the Day that our grateful nation has dedicated to its armed forces to celebrate their remarkable contribution to the work of national development. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the women and men in uniform who serve Senegal with honor and loyalty," he declared at the outset.

The Head of State paid tribute to the soldiers who fell for their country, while also honoring their families: “I pay tribute to them and express to their families the full and complete solidarity of the Senegalese people. To the soldiers wounded in action or bedridden, I reaffirm our deepest compassion and support. My best wishes for a speedy recovery accompany them so they can quickly return to the ranks, to their comrades and brothers in arms.”

Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the Senegalese army: a natural link

Regarding the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Bassirou Diomaye Faye emphasized the historic significance of this event for the continent. "Dakar is preparing to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026. Senegal will thus be the first African country to organize a world-class Olympic sporting event," he noted.

He spoke of the universal and unifying aspect of these games, held under the motto "Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates", and recalled that "this event, more than a sporting event, will be a showcase of the new Senegal, an opportunity to highlight the dynamism of the youth and the growing role of Africa in the Olympic movement".

For the head of state, the link between the armed forces and the YOG is a natural one, "because they embody what the Games themselves celebrate - unity in diversity, rigor in effort and fraternity in competition - the armed forces are privileged partners," he affirmed.

Shared values and a shared mission

The president also highlighted the essential role of the military in preparing for this global event: "They will certainly be the guardians of order and security, essential to the success of the games, but they will also be the torchbearers of the values of commitment to a national cause, of transcendence and of cohesion that underpin Olympism."

He praised their role beyond the field of defense, in "improving the quality of life, maintaining historical sites, and promoting discipline and public health." He believes their actions should inspire citizens to maintain a more orderly environment.

The head of state highlighted the "Waajal Xale Yi" program, launched by the armed forces in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, aimed at strengthening civic engagement among young people. According to him, "this program will help mobilize the dynamic segment of our country, which must be at the forefront of welcoming young people from around the world."

The 57th graduating class of the Military Health School and the 44th graduating class of the ENOA (National School for Non-Commissioned Officers) were named

The ceremony also took on symbolic significance through the naming of the two graduating classes from military schools, presented as a bridge between generations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated that "the naming of the classes symbolizes the excellence and vitality of the armed forces," while paying tribute to the patrons, "Colonel Malick Bodian, a brilliant and compassionate physician, and Second Lieutenant Amadou Diallo, who passed away in the prime of his life, a rigorous and exemplary officer."

Addressing the officer cadets, he added: "The oath you have just taken is not merely the observance of an oratorical ritual. It assigns you the honorable task of serving the nation, inspired by the ideals of patriotism and courage of your illustrious patrons."

"The battlegrounds of yesterday are no longer those of today": Bassirou Diomaye Faye

On the strategic issue of national defense, the Head of State recalled Senegal's recent diplomatic progress. "Senegal has taken a decisive step by renegotiating defense agreements that could have been perceived as an infringement on our sovereignty. These revised agreements are now part of a balanced, mutually respectful, and resolutely forward-looking framework of cooperation."

He affirmed his commitment to equipping the country with an army adapted to the new security challenges: "The battlegrounds of yesterday are no longer those of today. Military power dynamics now hinge on mastery of technology, information, and cyberspace. This is why the modernization of our armed forces has become a strategic imperative."

The president reiterated his full support for the military hierarchy, while paying particular tribute to General Mbaye Cissé, whose day marked his final appearance as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. "General," he said, "I commend your exemplary career, your sense of duty, and your loyalty to the nation. Please accept the expression of the Republic's gratitude and the appreciation of the Senegalese people."

The ceremony concluded with a visit to the stands, the signing of the guest book, an interview with the families of the sponsors and a family photo with the two newly named classes.