President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has outlined a series of decisive directives to the government, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, during the Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The head of state established a clear roadmap demanding concrete results from the executive, covering critical areas such as national dialogue, public performance oversight, civil registration management, and access to water.

Commencing his address, President Faye revisited the planned National Dialogue Day, originally scheduled for May 28. Acknowledging the prevailing religious context, he decided to replace large-scale public consultations with individual audiences involving various prominent national figures.

“Starting tomorrow, I will be meeting with former Prime Ministers and ministers, particularly those who previously held portfolios in finance and internal security,” the President stated, further indicating that other national personalities and representatives from diverse sectors of society would be consulted at a later stage. Through this strategic approach, Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to solidify consensus around Senegal’s national priorities and engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders in discussions concerning the nation’s economic, social, security, and political landscape. This initiative is vital for robust African governance.

The President also placed significant emphasis on the diligent monitoring of government actions, a directive that directly impacts Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his cabinet. He declared, “The optimal execution of the National Transformation Agenda necessitates a systematic evaluation of public policies and close supervision of governmental operations.”

In line with this dynamic, President Faye announced a structural reform in how the Council of Ministers functions. “The Council of Ministers will convene every other week for a defined period, to strengthen the culture of evaluating the impact of government actions,” the head of state affirmed. Bassirou Diomaye Faye thus issued a clear instruction to the executive: cultivate a culture of accountability and performance.

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

Regarding local authorities, President Faye tasked the relevant ministry with collaborating with stakeholders to devise “an appropriate mechanism for evaluating mayors and departmental council presidents.” On budgetary and administrative matters, the head of state commended the completion of the third ministerial sphere in Diamniadio, highlighting its role as a tool for streamlining public expenditures.

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

The critical issue of civil registration was among the urgent matters addressed during this Council of Ministers. Acknowledging existing deficiencies within the current system, Bassirou Diomaye Faye established a precise timeline. He ordered the minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities to present “an Urgent Plan for Strengthening Civil Registration Management before the end of June 2026.”

The President underscored the necessity for 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 emphasized. Following this same logic, national consultations are slated to be organized before the end of August 2026 to enhance governance within this sector.

Access to potable water also garnered the head of state’s attention. Observing persistent challenges in several localities, notably Touba, Kaffrine, Louga, and Keur Massar, he demanded immediate action. “All urgent measures must be implemented to significantly improve the population’s access to water,” he firmly urged the Minister of Hydraulics, in coordination with SONES, OFOR, and SEN’EAU. This is a crucial aspect of current African affairs.

With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, Bassirou Diomaye Faye concluded by extending a message of unwavering 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 also instructing the Ministry of Sports and the Senegalese Football Federation to take “all appropriate supplementary measures” to ensure Senegal’s successful participation in the global tournament.