Senegal forms new cabinet following President Faye’s electoral victory
Senegal has formed a new government with 25 ministers and five junior ministers, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced on Friday.
This follows the president’s resounding election victory in March.
The government was accepted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was inaugurated on Tuesday and named Sonko, a close supporter, as prime minister.
The young leader, who is a former tax officer, defeated outgoing President Macky Sall following a wave of unrest after 12 years in power.
Cheikh Diba has been appointed finance minister, among other key appointments.
Diba earlier served as the finance ministry’s director of budget programming, while Abdourahmane Sarr was appointed economy minister.
The government will be closely scrutinized after Faye made significant campaign promises, such as abolishing the CFA franc, West Africa’s shared currency.
He has slightly retracted that promise, but this week, he announced a plan to audit the oil, gas, and mining industries.
President Faye has reassured investors that Senegal will remain a friendly country and a sure and reliable ally for any partner that engages with the country in virtuous, respectful, and mutually productive cooperation.
On the international stage, Faye seeks to bring military-run Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger back into the fold of the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc.
