The Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, March 18, 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:

Celebration of the Korité festival

The President of the Republic, beginning his address by mentioning the blessed month of Ramadan which is drawing to a close, extended his congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim community on the occasion of the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which is scheduled for this week. After praying, along with the entire nation, for a prosperous and united Senegal in a world of peace, he instructed the Minister of the Interior and Public Security to ensure the proper conduct of the Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremonies throughout the country.

Furthermore, he asks the Government to improve traffic flow and strengthen transport safety on the various road and motorway routes.

In this context, he offers his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the accident that occurred last Monday on National Road No. 06 between Tambacounda and Gouloumbou, before wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

He also reiterates his directives regarding preventive measures, with a view to ensuring the country's proper supply of hydrocarbons, foodstuffs and everyday consumer goods, while maintaining price stability.

Accelerating the implementation of water projects and programs

Recalling the priority of providing drinking water to the population, the Head of State instructed the Prime Minister and the Minister of Water and Sanitation to expedite the implementation of all water projects and programs in urban and rural areas. He emphasized the importance of developing and deploying a new master plan for water infrastructure, ensuring both complementary projects and optimal coverage of the national territory with functional water networks, structures, and infrastructure.

The President of the Republic instructs the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intensify the process of evaluating and revising public service delegations for drinking water, ensuring synergy between SONES, OFOR, and concessionaires, supported by renewed and demanding performance contracts. Furthermore, he emphasizes the urgent need to adapt the organizational and operational rules of the urban water sector, particularly with the upcoming commissioning and launch of desalination plants.

Finally, the Head of State asks the Prime Minister and the Minister of Water and Sanitation to finalize the studies necessary to initiate the implementation, before the end of 2026, of the Water Highways Project and the revision of the legal framework relating to the Water sector and its regulation.

Sustainable preservation of the national forest heritage and revitalization of forest policy

The President of the Republic observes that forests, representing an essential component of biodiversity, constitute an invaluable national heritage, the preservation of which requires the implementation of a policy of guidance and enhancement. To this end, he calls for intensifying the fight against timber trafficking as well as efforts in reforestation, afforestation, and the classification of new forests in all eco-geographical zones. In this context, he instructs the Government to broaden the scope of intervention, raise the level of reforestation targets assigned to the Senegalese Agency for Reforestation and the Great Green Wall, and strengthen the human resources and logistical means allocated to the national directorates responsible for Water and Forests and National Parks.

The President of the Republic emphasizes the urgency of reorganizing forestry operations, with a view to strengthening the national strategy and action plans for biodiversity conservation and defining a new governance policy for national parks aimed at the professional maintenance of spaces, the preservation of fauna and flora as well as the improvement of tourist appeal.

Finally, he instructs the Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition to take steps to accelerate the implementation of the Special Plan for the Safeguarding and Enhancement of the Classified Forest of Mbao.

Preparations for the national holiday

The President of the Republic believes that the national holiday is a moment of unity and celebration of our shared life in peace and solidarity. He reiterates that the collective project for a sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal constantly calls for national mobilization, the strengthening of social cohesion and the rule of law, and the reinforcement of active and constructive citizenship for development, with the mobilization of youth and the defense and security forces.

It is in this spirit of patriotic commitment, according to the Head of State, that Senegal will celebrate, on April 4, 2026, the 46th anniversary of its accession to international sovereignty. He will preside over the grand civil and military parade in Thiès, in the presence of all constituted bodies. The Head of State has therefore asked the Government to ensure the smooth running of the festivities, parades, and celebrations in Thiès and other regions of Senegal, with the participation of the population, students, and all the vital forces of the Nation.

Follow-up to the CAF Appeals Board's decision regarding Senegal's African Championship title

The President of the Republic states that Senegal notes with regret and indignation the decision of the CAF Appeals Board to strip the national football team of the 2025 African Championship title. Faced with this unprecedented decision, he calls upon the Government, and in particular the Minister of Sports, to take all swift and appropriate steps, in conjunction with the Senegalese Football Federation, to file the necessary appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Agenda of the President of the Republic

The Head of State informs the Council that he will make an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain, at the invitation of King Felipe VI, from March 24 to 26, 2026.

UNDER THE HEADING OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S COMMUNICATION

The Prime Minister presented his statement on the following points:

Sustainable Management of the Employment Sector

For the Prime Minister, sustainable employment management is essential to the nation's economic and social life, guaranteeing every Senegalese citizen the opportunity to access decent and sustainable employment. He noted that the employment sector faces cyclical crises primarily stemming from the difficulty of integrating job seekers. He highlighted the low skill level of the workforce, resulting from an insufficient supply of jobs due to weak business activity and the underdevelopment of high-potential sectors that create employment.

The Prime Minister also noted the mismatch between training and employment, the low employability, the inefficiency of the financing, supervision and support system and the constraints related to the Labour Code.

He mentions the measures taken by the Government, initiating an inclusive process for developing a   National Employment Policy , which will take into account the rationalization of governance structures, and by strengthening the National State-Employers Convention as well as the provisions on apprenticeship and dual training.

Furthermore, the Government has committed to implementing the Social Stability Pact, in addition to signing the decree establishing the General Statute for Civil Servants of Local Authorities and the decree setting the amount of the flat-rate allowance granted to non-civil servant employees of local authorities. This also includes the generalization of the housing allowance.

The Prime Minister believes that job creation will be driven by the development of strategic sectors, the resumption of infrastructure projects, the establishment of agro-industrial parks, and the development of the industrial base. In this context, the Government will focus, in particular, on finalizing and adopting the framework law on employment, reforming the Labor Code and Social Security, evaluating and strengthening the organizational and financial structure of the National State-Employers Agreement, and streamlining the structures responsible for employment promotion.

The Prime Minister also announced the strengthening of the link between employment and training, the pooling and optimization of structures, interventions and resources, the establishment of a major coalition for employment, the development of local employment in territorial hubs, and the implementation of high-intensity labor (HIMO) projects.

Finally, he indicated the strengthening of the Pôles Emploi and the establishment of Centres d'Initiatives pour l'Emploi local (CIEL) at the level of each department, as well as Missions locales pour l'Emploi et l'Entrepreneuriat at the level of each municipality.

Recovery of Air Senegal

The Prime Minister recalled decisions taken at the Interministerial Council of April 3, 2025, on the basis of which the comprehensive emergency recovery plan was developed, including the reconstitution of equity, recapitalization, refinancing and the completion of a full financial and organizational audit.

Following the meeting he chaired on Monday, March 16, 2026, in the presence of the relevant ministers, he announced the decisions he had taken before reaffirming the Government's firm commitment to supporting Air Senegal SA and AIBD SA in their recovery and sustainable repositioning at the heart of the national air transport strategy.

UNDER THE HEADING OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM MINISTERS

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation gave a presentation on the third generation reform of the public water service.

The Minister for the Environment and Ecological Transition gave a presentation on the organization of the 6th World Congress of Marine Protected Areas.

The Minister of Industry and Trade gave a presentation on the market situation and the marketing of peanuts.

The Minister of Youth and Sports gave a presentation on the preparations for the 2026 National Youth Week.

UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS

The Council examined and adopted the draft decree establishing the procedures relating to the division and nomenclature of the blocks of the sedimentary basin of Senegal.

UNDER INDIVIDUAL MEASURES

The President of the Republic has taken the following decisions:

On behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security

Mr. Cyprien DIENE , Teacher, payroll number 519 112/K, formerly Assistant to the Sub-Prefect of the Arrondissement of Sesséne, Department of Mbour, is appointed Assistant to the Sub-Prefect of the Arrondissement of Jaxaay, Department of Keur Massar, replacing Mr. Kany Balla DOUMBIA, who has been called to other duties.

On behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation:

Mr. Insa SECK , Teacher-Researcher, payroll number 107 487/E, is appointed Director of the Higher Institute of Professional Education (ISEP) of Mbacké.

On behalf of the Ministry of National Education:

Mrs. Maïmouna Soude SOUARE , Inspector of Elementary Education, payroll number 631 504/E, is appointed Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, replacing Mr. Aliou LY, who has been granted his retirement pension rights;

Mr. Mansor FALL , Secondary School Teacher, payroll number 637 272/M, formerly Principal of the Dahra High School, is appointed Director of School Equipment, replacing Mr. Abdoulaye SY.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene

Mrs. Bineta Diabel Bâ MBACKE , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration, formerly Director of the Ndamatou Hospital in Touba, is appointed Director of the Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim National Hospital Center in Touba, replacing Mr. Mouhamadou Moustapha SOURANG, who has been granted his retirement pension rights;

Mr. Ibrahima Tito TAMBA , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration, is appointed Director of the Ndamatou Hospital in Touba, replacing Mrs. Bineta Diabel Bâ MBACKE, who has been called to other duties;

Mr. Moustapha DIEDHIOU , Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care Physician, Associate Professor, is appointed Director of the Emergency Medical Assistance Service (SAMU), replacing Mr. Abdallah WADE, who has been granted his retirement pension rights;

Mr. Fallou NIANG , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration, formerly Director of the Kolda Regional Hospital Center, is appointed Director General of Health Establishments, replacing Mrs. Fatou Mbaye SYLLA;

Mr. Makha DANFAKH A, holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's degree in Public Health, is appointed Director of the Kolda Regional Hospital Center, replacing Mr. Fallou NIANG, who has been called to other duties;

Mr. Abdou SARR , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's degree in Health Economics, is appointed Director of the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center in Dakar, replacing Mrs. Issa Tall DIOP;

Mr. Alassane TALL , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine and a diploma in Public Health, is appointed Director of the Institute of Social Hygiene ex-Polyclinic, replacing Mr. Abdoulaye KANE;

Ms. Aissatou SOUGOU , holder of a Doctorate in Pharmacy and a Master's degree in Health Economics and Public Health, is appointed Director General of the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), replacing Mr. Alioune Ibnou Abou Talib DIOUF;

Ms. Fatou Bara NDIONE , Biomedical Engineer, payroll number 613 850/E, is appointed Director of Equipment and Maintenance at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, vacant position;

Mrs. Henriette Cécile DIOP , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine, Specialist in Public Health, payroll number 713 134/G, is appointed Technical Inspector of Health at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene;

Mr. El Hadji Magatte SECK , holder of a Doctorate in Medicine, Health Services Manager, payroll number 609 547/G, is appointed Technical Health Inspector at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, Crafts and Tourism

Mr. Ousmane SANE , a graduate in Management Information Systems, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Grand Théâtre national Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose, replacing Mr. Landing Mbessane SECK.

Marie Rose Khady Fatou FAYE,

Secretary of State to the Prime Minister,

Head of Institutional Relations,

Government Spokesperson