The inclusion of former opponents in his government provides a turning point for President Macky Sall, re-elected in February 2019 for a second five-year term.
By Ibrahima Dione
In the absence of a government of national unity, the head of state has set up a team marked “by political openness,” the spokesman for the Presidency Seydou Gueye explained.
The appointment of Oumar Sarr, former member of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and Yankhoba Diattara of the political formation Rewmi as ministers is according to Gueye, reflective of “the dynamics of consensus emerging from the broad and inclusive national dialogue.”
Former Prime Minister, Idrissa Seck, has been appointed President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) to replace Aminata Touré, one of the grandees of the ruling Alliance For the Republic (APR).
To the 33 ministers and 4 Secretaries of State, Macky Sall entrusted “a special mission of general interest.”This mission has two complementary dimensions: “The first (consists) of propelling the revival of the national economy. The second (is) to ensure a more sustained protection of all the living forces of the nation,” Gueye added.
In fact, the president hopes that this government can leave an imprint, “on the ground and on a daily basis, a constructive dynamic of innovation, transformation, achievement and change necessary to accelerate the emergence of Senegal in peace, security, stability, prosperity, social and territorial equity” all against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To achieve these objectives, the Coordinator of Communication of the Presidency of the Republic pointed out that the work of the various ministers “will be based on the guiding principles (which are) anticipation, pragmatism, coherence, resilience and performance.”
In addition to the formation of the new government, Macky Sall signed several decrees.
Oumar Samba Bâ was appointed Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Abdou Latif Coulibaly, Minister of State, Secretary General of the Government and Seydou Guèye, Minister, Spokesperson and Coordinator of Communication of the Presidency.
Finally, Mahmoud Saleh becomes Minister of State, Chief of Staff of the President, Augustin Tine, Minister of State, Director of Political Cabinet of the President, Sheikh Kanté, Special Envoy of the President and Abdou Karim Fofana, Minister to the President, in charge of following up on the Senegal Emerging Plan (ESP).
ID/cgd/lb/as/APA