Sénégal Conseil Ministres: 13 Octobre 2026 Directives on Floods, Development

• The Sénégal Conseil des Ministres met on October 13, 2026, under President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, addressing flood management and territorial development.
• President Faye ordered immediate measures for flood relief, a technical audit of sanitation systems, and the development of national strategies for civil protection and flood prevention.
• The Prime Minister is tasked with evaluating existing development programs and overseeing the creation of a potential National Sanitation Fund.
• Decentralization reforms are to be accelerated to strengthen local governance and financing.
• The 2029 national holiday celebrations, including the Grand Parade, will be relocated to Kaolack, accompanied by a "Special Independence Program" for the region.

A significant announcement from the President involved the decision to relocate the national holiday celebrations of April 4, 2029, specifically the arms ceremony and the Grand Parade, to Kaolack.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, an extraordinary session of the Sénégal Conseil des Ministres was convened at the Palais de la République, presided over by His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, the President of the Republic. The President's address focused on two critical areas: the proactive management of floods coupled with a consensual redefinition of sanitation policy, and the acceleration of territorial development programs, including a significant change to national holiday celebrations. These directives underscore a comprehensive approach to both immediate challenges and long-term strategic planning for the nation.

The President commenced his communication by extending profound condolences to the families of those who perished during the recent severe rains and adverse weather conditions affecting various parts of the country. He conveyed the nation's solidarity and compassion to the affected populations and acknowledged the extensive efforts of state services. Furthermore, President Faye mandated an immediate intensification of all necessary logistical and sanitary measures to clear inundated areas and infrastructure, ensuring prompt assistance to victims' families and impacted communities. A swift technical audit of observed dysfunctions within the governance of sanitation systems was also ordered to identify systemic issues.

To bolster the nation's resilience against future environmental challenges, the President instructed the Prime Minister to collaborate with relevant ministers, public entities, and partners on several key initiatives. These include the urgent updating of sanitation master plans for cities and municipalities across Sénégal. A critical deadline was set for the finalization and validation of the National Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management Strategy by the end of November 2026.

Concurrently, the National Flood Prevention and Management Strategy is to undergo a thorough review and validation process. Additionally, the President called for a comprehensive study into the feasibility of establishing a National Sanitation Fund, designed to be sustained by durable financial resources. The Prime Minister was further tasked with overseeing the execution of studies and the implementation of proposed solutions aimed at flood prevention, alongside a strategic re-evaluation of sanitation's role within public investments. These measures collectively aim to create a more robust and responsive framework for environmental management and public health.

President Faye reiterated the national transformation agenda's commitment to prioritizing territorial planning and sustainable urban development. He emphasized the imperative to accelerate the construction of high-quality public infrastructure and facilities throughout the national territory. In this vein, the Prime Minister was directed to assess the current execution status of major development programs, specifically PUDC, PUMA, PROMOVILLES, and PACASEN. This evaluation also extends to the decisions, recommendations, and urgent projects that emerged from the presidential seminar with regional Governors held on February 12, 2026.

Further directives included a request for the Minister of Interior and Public Security to present a report to the Conseil des Ministres detailing the deployment of the Strategic Plan for the Modernization of Territorial Administration. The President also highlighted to the Minister responsible for Territorial Collectivities the pressing need to expedite consensual reforms related to decentralization. This push aims to strengthen the territorialization of public policies and enhance the financial autonomy of local collectivities, fostering more equitable development across the country.

A significant announcement from the President involved the decision to relocate the national holiday celebrations of April 4, 2029, specifically the arms ceremony and the Grand Parade, to Kaolack. This move signals a strategic effort to promote regional development beyond the capital. To support this initiative, the President instructed the relevant ministers, under the Prime Minister's coordination, to devise a "Special Independence Program" for the Kaolack Region. This program is designed to encompass the realization of priority public infrastructure projects and stimulate the local economy.

The Prime Minister is further mandated to provide quarterly updates to the Conseil des Ministres on the progress of all validated projects and works designated for the Kaolack Region. This relocation and associated development program represent a tangible step towards fostering balanced growth and ensuring that national events contribute directly to the economic and infrastructural upliftment of diverse regions within Sénégal.

Source: Original reporting via the official communiqué of the Council of Ministers.