Senegalese president, Faye, appoints 25 ministers to new cabinet

President Bassirou Faye (L) and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko (R), have promised the Senegalese people a systematic transformation with the newly installed cabinet.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye named his government on Friday, appointing a number of fresh faces to top positions following his inauguration.

The 44-year-old, who has never before held elected office, looks set to implement his radical reforms with his appointed prime minister and former mentor Ousmane Sonko.

Sonko unveiled on Friday a cabinet of 25 ministers, describing it as a break from the past.

“The government set up here on April 5 is a breakaway government… that embodies the project, a systemic transformation voted for by the Senegalese people,” Sonko said.

Birame Souleye Diop was appointed minister of energy, oil and mines, a strategic position as the country is due to start producing oil and gas in 2024.

Ousmane Diagne, a former public prosecutor at the Dakar Court of Appeal, becomes justice minister, while Cheikh Diba was appointed finance and budget minister.

The Cabinet features senior officers in key positions, such as the former Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Gen. Birame Diop, who was named Armed Forces minister and the former High Commander of the Gendarmerie and Director of Military Justice, Jean Baptiste Tine, who was appointed interior minister.

The government included four women, who were handed the portfolios of foreign affairs, fisheries, family and youth and culture.

They are; Yacine Fall, who was appointed minister of African integration and foreign affairs; Fatou Diouf, who is minister of fisheries, maritime and port infrastructure; Maimouna Dieye got ministry of Family and Solidarity and Khady Diene Gaye who is minister of youth, sports and culture.

Other appointees are;

Abdourahmane Sarr- Minister of the Economy, Planning and Cooperation

Malick Ndiaye- Minister of infrastructure, land and air transport

Daouda Ngom- Minister of the environment and ecological transition

Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarré- Minister of Vocational Training (Government spokesperson)

Cheikh Tidiane Dieye- Minister of hydraulics and sanitation

Alioune Sall- Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital

Elhadj Abdourahmane Diouf- Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Serigne Gueye Diop- Minister of Industry and Commerce

Yankhoba Diémé- Minister of Labour, Employment and Relations with Institutions

Balla Moussa Fofana- Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and territorial planning

Moustapha Guirassy- ​​Minister of National Education

Ibrahima Sy- Minister of Health and Social Action

Olivier Boucal- Minister of the Civil Service and Public Service Reform

Mabouba Diagne- Minister of Agriculture, food sovereignty and Livestock

Alioune Dione- Minister of Microfinance, social and solidarity economy

Mountaga Diao- Minister of Tourism and Crafts

Amadou Chérif Diouf- Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad

Ibrahima Thiam- Secretary of State for SME Development

Momath Talla Ndao- Secretary of State for Urban Planning and Housing

Alpha Bâ- Secretary of State to cooperatives and farmer supervision. –

Bacary Sarr- Secretary of State for culture, creative industries and historical heritage.

Sonko said the government would “work to the appropriate and legitimate expectations of the people” and that the government’s priorities would include employment for young people, lowering the cost of living and protecting human rights.