Senegal defence shake-up: general pape cissé leads air force command

Senegal has entered a new chapter in its national defence strategy with the appointment of General Pape Cissé as the new Chief of Air Staff, effective May 1, 2026. The move signals a strategic shift in the country’s aerial defence capabilities.

The decree formalising the appointment was issued on the same day General Cissé officially assumed leadership of the Senegalese Air Force. Prior to this role, he served as commander of the Presidential Squadron, a position that underscored his expertise in high-level aviation operations.

General Cissé takes over from General Elhadj Niang, who had led the Air Force since 2023. The transition marks a deliberate recalibration of Senegal’s aerial defence priorities, with the new leadership expected to enhance operational readiness and strategic planning.