Senegal has ushered in a new era of governance with the formation of a new cabinet, comprising 25 ministers and five junior ministers. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Friday, following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s resounding victory in the March elections.
President Faye, 44, was inaugurated on Tuesday and promptly appointed Sonko, a key supporter, as Prime Minister. The outgoing President, Macky Sall, was unseated after a 12-year tenure, amidst a wave of public discontent.
The newly formed cabinet is under close scrutiny, given Faye’s radical campaign promises. These include the potential abandonment of the CFA franc, the common currency of West Africa. Although he has somewhat backtracked on this pledge, Faye, a former tax inspector, has promised an audit of the oil, gas, and mining sectors this week.
Key appointments in the new cabinet include Cheikh Diba as Finance Minister, who previously served as the Director of Budget Programming in the Finance Ministry. Abdourahmane Sarr has been named Economy Minister.
The Oil and Energy Ministry will be headed by Birame Souleye Diop, former Vice President of Sonko and Faye’s now-dissolved Pastef party.
In a significant move, two generals have been appointed as Interior and Defence Ministers. This new cabinet signifies a fresh start for Senegal’s governance, and the world watches with keen interest as the new government begins its tenure.