The Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, launched the National Day for the Promotion of Civic Responsibility and the Spirit of Defense and Security this Tuesday, May 12, at the Mamadou Diaw Military Academy in Thiès. This nationwide initiative is jointly led by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, through the National Gendarmerie, and the Ministry of National Education.

In his address, the minister recalled that this day is part of the momentum of the 2025-2029 National Development Strategy initiated by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This plan places the strengthening of civic responsibility and citizenship among the country's strategic priorities. Addressing the students, General Birame Diop emphasized the central role of schools, specifying that beyond the transmission of knowledge, the educational institution provides a privileged environment for learning respect for rules and a sense of responsibility.

The minister also commended the commitment of the Senegalese Armed Forces, faithful to the "Army-Nation" concept, and emphasized the role of the Gendarmerie in instilling discipline and patriotism. For General Diop, civic responsibility is not an abstract notion. He urged students to embody it through respect for teachers, the preservation of public property, and the rejection of violence. Faced with the challenges of disinformation and hate speech, he exhorted young people to choose the path of hard work and excellence.

Finally, the minister reiterated that defending the nation goes beyond simply wearing a uniform and constitutes a collective responsibility. Serving one's country, he stated, involves respecting the laws, maintaining integrity, and contributing to social progress. It should be noted that the Minister of National Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, was represented at the ceremony by his Secretary General.