COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS - 2025 JUNE 11 The Head of State, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Palace of the Republic. At the outset of his address, the President of the Republic extended his warm congratulations to Senegal’s Muslim and Christian communities for the harmonious and solidaristic celebration of Tabaski and Pentecost, marked by the success of the 137th edition of the Popenguine Marian Pilgrimage. He praised the exemplary interreligious dialogue in Senegal and instructed the Government to mobilize adequate resources to support the modernization of religious sites and the practice of worship across the national territory. He informed the Council of his decision to establish an annual national meeting with religious leaders and customary chiefs. The thorough preparation of the agricultural campaign and the intensification of efforts to promote Senegal’s food sovereignty remain a priority of government action. The Head of State commended the bold measures taken by the Government since last year to improve the preparation, implementation, and supervision of agricultural production campaigns. Given the increased rainfall in several eco-geographical zones of the country, he urged the Government, particularly the Minister in charge of Agriculture and the Minister in charge of Finance, to expedite the provision of seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment nationwide. He emphasized the need for greater involvement and strengthening of the role of community agricultural cooperatives in the setup of the agricultural production campaign framework. The President reiterated that scaling up the national seed capital reconstitution program requires strong involvement of the Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), a leading scientific body whose financial and human resources, as well as technical capabilities, must be significantly strengthened. An evaluation of the organization and functioning of ISRA’s technical advisory and agricultural support services is also necessary. The President instructed the Government on the need to develop vocational training programs related to agricultural professions and to consider strengthening agricultural high schools or training centers for agricultural trades, similar to the National Higher School of Agriculture, which serves as a foundation for training agricultural engineers. Additionally, he reminded the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock of the urgency to develop a special program to enhance agricultural infrastructure and update the mission statements of the National Company for the Development and Exploitation of Lands in the Senegal River Delta and the Senegal and Falémé River Valleys (SAED), the Agricultural and Industrial Development Company of Senegal (SODAGRI), and the Textile Fiber Development Company (SODEFITEX). This aims to improve the planning of rice, cereal, cotton, and high-value commercial and consumption crops. He urged the Government to intensify efforts to revive and expand Community Agricultural Domains and Agropoles, whose effective implementation in designated sites must be monitored within the framework of the National Transformation Agenda. In the same vein, the Head of State called on the Government to enhance the involvement and mobilization of youth in agricultural development and the promotion of food sovereignty. To this end, he instructed the Government, particularly the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, the Minister in charge of Youth, and the State Secretary for Cooperatives and Farmer Support, to take all necessary measures for the successful organization, in Dakar, from August 30 to September 5, 2025, of the 19th edition of the African Food Systems Forum under the theme “African Youth: Spearheading Collaboration, Innovation, and Transformation of Food Systems.” To support the sustainable transformation of the national agricultural system, the President informed the Council that he will undertake an economic and working visit to the Saint-Louis region on June 12 and 13, 2025, to meet with producers and industrial stakeholders in the sector. In the same vein, he will chair the Higher Council for Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Orientation on July 10, 2025. Senegal is endowed with over 700 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and exceptional maritime potential. The Head of State reminded the Government of the urgency to finalize Senegal’s new maritime policy, involving all public and private stakeholders and populations in the concerned areas. He instructed the Prime Minister to intensify the monitoring of all operational, under-construction, or planned maritime and port infrastructure with clearly identified partners. He also requested the Prime Minister to oversee the implementation of the strategy to promote the attractiveness and competitiveness of Senegal’s public and private ports and to establish a strengthened framework for evaluating the performance of national maritime and port infrastructure. Furthermore, he emphasized the imperative to strengthen the coordination of state action at sea through the urgent construction of specialized infrastructure under the supervision of the High Authority for the Coordination of Maritime Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection (HASSMAR). The President urged the Government to continue regular consultations with artisanal and industrial fishing stakeholders, as well as scientists and researchers, to strategically manage fishing zones, marine resources, and seabeds in compliance with national laws, regulations, and international conventions. Given the critical importance of fishing in national life and the significance of ocean-related issues on the international agenda, he instructed the Prime Minister to ensure the monitoring of all matters related to the sea and the development of Senegal’s blue economy. Tourism remains a key driver of economic recovery and job creation in designated sites and zones. The Head of State requested the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, under the Prime Minister’s supervision, in collaboration with the Company for the Development and Promotion of Senegal’s Coasts and Tourist Zones (SAPCO), to finalize the updating of programs for developing new tourist zones to boost the sector’s recovery with the involvement of professionals, investors, and relevant stakeholders. He reiterated the urgency of holding an interministerial meeting on tourism to ensure the controlled implementation of the sector’s development agenda. Regarding his diplomatic agenda, the President informed the Council that he will participate in the Conference on Palestine in New York from June 17 to 19, 2025, and attend the ECOWAS Summit in Abuja on June 22, 2025. Addressing the issue of strengthening capacities in public procurement management, the Prime Minister, after highlighting alarming findings from the review of contracts and agreements, particularly cases of overbilling and serious violations of procurement rules, emphasized the importance of public procurement as a means of executing state missions. Consequently, the Prime Minister stressed the need for comprehensive training of stakeholders at all stages of public procurement, with a monitoring and evaluation system for the knowledge imparted. The Prime Minister decided that the correct, efficient, transparent, and timely execution of public procurement rules now constitutes a performance criterion for all public entities and public managers. The Prime Minister requested the Minister, Secretary General of the Government, in collaboration with the Central Directorate of Public Procurement (DCMP) and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP), to propose terms of reference for public procurement training with a relevant program addressing stakeholders’ concerns. Finally, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Finance and Budget to take all necessary measures to mobilize the funds required to support this training. On the management of hospital emergencies, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Government places a high priority on ensuring access to quality emergency care in all healthcare facilities. He also emphasized the particular attention to be given to improving the quality of emergency reception services to provide more humane care for those in distress. Accordingly, he invited the Minister of Health and Social Action to strengthen the National SAMU system and to work in perfect synergy with the National Fire Brigade and other public and private entities operating in the sector. MINISTERIAL COMMUNICATIONS: The Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture provided an update on the monitoring of ongoing works in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Livestock reported on the status of pre-base seed production for cereals and legumes for the 2025-2026 agricultural campaign. INDIVIDUAL MEASURES: The President of the Republic took the following decisions: At the Prime Minister’s Office: Mr. Mbaye Sene, holder of a state medical degree, is appointed Executive Secretary of the National Council for Nutrition Development (CNDN), replacing Dr. Aminata Diop Ndoye. At the Ministry of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport: Mr. Laurent Sina, a consultant in quality management systems, is appointed Director of the National Reference Laboratory for Building and Public Works (LNR-BTP), replacing Mr. Chérif Balde. At the Ministry of Finance and Budget: Ms. Souadou Drame, Economist, payroll number 619 499/J, is appointed Director of Budget Programming, a vacant position. Mr. Serigne Cheikh Mbeguere, Planning Advisor, payroll number 603 378/E, is appointed Director of Public Expenditure Authorization, replacing Mr. Samba Fall, who has been called to other duties. Mr. Boubacar Camara, Senior Civil Administrator, payroll number 616 278/H, is appointed Director of Administration and Personnel at the General Directorate of the Budget, replacing Mr. Abdourakhmane Ba, who has retired. At the Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime, and Port Infrastructure: Mr. Baba Tall, Logistics Expert, is appointed Director of the Senegalese Maritime Activities Consortium (COSAMA), replacing Commander Mactar Fall. At the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines: Mr. Mbaye Sene, holder of a master’s degree in accounting and finance, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Senegal Mining Company (SOMISEN), replacing Mr. Mamadou Bamba Ndiaye. At the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Technology: Mr. Serigne Ahmadou Bamba Sy, Centralien Engineer and Project Management Expert, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Technology, replacing Ms. Fatou Bintou Ndiaye. At the Ministry of Industry and Commerce: Mr. Abasse Boubou Ndiaye, holder of a degree in project management, is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Senegalese Agency for Industrial Property and Technological Innovation (ASPIT), replacing Mr. Lakhbouss Diakhate. At the Ministry of National Education: Mr. Assane Sow, Secondary School Teacher, payroll number 644 051/J, is appointed Director of the National Institute for Study and Action for Development (INEADE), replacing Mr. Alioune Badara Diop. Minister of Vocational and Technical Training, Government Spokesperson, Amadou Moustapha Njekk Sarre