During committee work on the 2026 draft budget for the Ministry of the Armed Forces, members of parliament focused on border security and the rise of jihadist threats in the sub-region. They expressed their concern about the resurgence of jihadist attacks near the Malian border. They questioned Minister Birame Diop about the lack of intervention by the Senegalese Armed Forces during these incidents and about border surveillance measures.

The presence of numerous foreigners, often carrying only basic identification documents, was also highlighted as a major security risk. To strengthen security, the members of parliament recommended the creation of a second gendarmerie post on the border with Mali, the reinforcement of brigades in Saint-Louis, Barkedji, and Médina Yoro Foulah, as well as increased surveillance of the so-called "Djakarta" motorcycles, often used to transport foreigners after the first checkpoint.

The Minister of the Armed Forces, Birame Diop, assured that "all measures are being taken to guarantee border security." He noted that Senegal has established "cultural centers for citizenship and good neighborliness" along its borders, which help prevent conflicts and facilitate dialogue between the populations on both sides. According to him, this system serves as a model and is attracting interest from other countries.

Regarding military interventions in Mali, the minister emphasized that national security is the responsibility of the Senegalese forces, but that "the complexity of the jihadist threat necessitates coordinated African responses." He stressed the importance of combining military action with a state presence among the population to prevent violent extremism.

The members of parliament also addressed the issue of resources and logistics, including increasing personnel and providing equipment to ensure an effective response to cross-border threats. The minister noted that the strengthening of the armed forces in recent years allows for a better response to security challenges, while specifying that certain infrastructure and programs (assembly of military vehicles, new brigades) are underway to improve operational capacity.