President faye outlines key directives to sonko’s government in Senegal

During the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a series of stringent directives to the government led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Covering critical areas such as national dialogue, public performance oversight, civil registration management, and access to water, the Head of State laid out a clear roadmap, underscoring the executive’s imperative to achieve tangible results.

Kicking off his address, President Faye revisited the National Dialogue Day initially scheduled for May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he opted to pivot from extensive public consultations to individual audiences with various prominent national figures.

“Beginning tomorrow, I will be meeting with former Prime Ministers and past ministers, particularly those who previously held portfolios in finance and internal security,” the President stated. He further clarified that other national personalities and representatives from key societal sectors would be consulted subsequently. Through this approach, Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to solidify consensus around national priorities and broaden the participation of stakeholders in discussions concerning Senegal’s economic, social, security, and political landscape.

The President also placed significant emphasis on monitoring governmental actions, a directive directly impacting Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his cabinet. “The optimal implementation of the National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic evaluation of public policies and close monitoring of government endeavors,” he declared.

In line with this dynamic, he announced a restructuring of the Council of Ministers’ operational framework. “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. With this, Bassirou Diomaye Faye issued a distinct instruction to the executive: establish a robust culture of accountability and performance.

“Each member of the Government must undertake an evaluation of the general directors and directors of entities under their responsibility, oversight, or control,” he mandated. The President extended this scrutiny to territorial and diplomatic administrations, instructing the Minister of Interior to assess the performance of administrative district chiefs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to monitor the effectiveness of diplomatic and consular mission heads.

Regarding local authorities, he tasked the relevant ministry with collaborating with stakeholders to devise “an appropriate mechanism for evaluating mayors and departmental council presidents.” On the fiscal and administrative fronts, the Head of State commended the completion of Diamniadio’s third ministerial sphere, highlighting its role in streamlining public expenditures.

He also urged the acceleration of several strategic initiatives. “It is essential to finalize the validation phase of the multi-year budgetary and economic programming document for 2026-2028, optimize the timeframe for public procurement, and meticulously prepare budget conferences,” he instructed.

The issue of civil registration emerged as a pressing concern during this Council of Ministers. Acknowledging deficiencies within the current system, Bassirou Diomaye Faye set a precise timeline. “An Emergency Plan for Strengthening Civil Registration Management must be presented before the end of June 2026,” he directed the minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities.

The President stressed the importance of comprehensive reform. “It is paramount to accelerate the full digitalization of civil registration, ensure the reliability of documents, and guarantee adequate and secure preservation of registers and archives,” he underscored. Concurrently, national consultations are slated to be organized before the end of August 2026 to enhance governance within this vital sector.

Access to potable water also captured the Head of State’s attention. Observing persistent challenges in several regions, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he demanded immediate actions. “All urgent measures must be implemented to significantly improve the population’s access to water,” he emphatically told the Minister of Hydraulics, in collaboration with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU.

With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, Bassirou Diomaye Faye concluded by extending a message of support to the Lions of Senegal. “On behalf of the Nation, I convey a message of mobilization, encouragement, and support to the Lions,” he declared, while instructing the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to take “all appropriate supplementary arrangements” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the global tournament.